Further Ado wins Blue Grass S. (G1) by near-record 11 lengths

Further Ado’s incredible performance in Saturday’s Blue Grass S. (G1) stamped the Spendthrift Farm colorbearer the likely favorite for the May 2^nd Kentucky Derby (G1).

Further Ado’s 11-length romp in the Blue Grass was reminiscent of his 20-length maiden win at Keeneland last October. Patiently handled by Irad Ortiz, Jr. while sitting in third through six furlongs, Further Ado ranged up alongside Great White and Creole Chrome with a quarter-mile to run and went by them without urging. He kicked clear in upper stretch and was ridden out with just mild urging to stop the timer in 1:49.58 on a fast, drying track.

“He was dominant,” said winning trainer Brad Cox. “We expected him to move forward off the Tampa Bay Derby, and he did. Hopefully we’re as good in four weeks as we were today. If he is, he’ll be a player in the Derby.”

Further Ado was bred by John C. Oxley and is owned by Spendthrift Farm, who purchased the chestnut Kentucky-bred for $550,000 at the 2025 OBS Spring 2-year-old sale. Saturday’s win upped Further Ado’s record to 3-1-1 in six starts and his earning to $1,146,328. His first stakes win came in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) last November at Churchill Downs.