Further Ado rumbles home in the Blue Grass, Courtney Snow/Past the Wire
Keeneland Press
Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado, who scored his maiden victory at Keeneland by 20 lengths last October, was the 4-5 favorite in Saturday’s $1,250,000 Toyota Blue Gass (G1) and won the race over six rivals by 11 lengths. The performance enhanced Further Ado’s credentials for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and gave trainer Brad Cox his third likely starter for the race, joining Curlin Florida Derby (G1) Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa winner Commandment and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Fulleffort.
With the Toyota Blue Grass victory, Further Ado earned 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for a total of 135 points and guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve to be run May 2 at Churchill Downs.
The top 20 point earners and invitees that pass the entry box April 25 will comprise the Derby field. Also moving into the top 20 was Ottinho, who added 50 points to raise his total to 56.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Further Ado completed the 1⅛ miles on a fast track in 1:49.58. It is the second Toyota Blue Grass victory for Cox, whose initial score came with champion Essential Quality in 2021.
The victory capped off a hat trick for Cox and Ortiz, who each won three races on the program including a Grade 1 victory together in the Resolute Racing Madison with Eclatant.
Great White and Creole Chrome alternated on the lead through fractions of :23.60 and :47.71 with Talkin third on the inside and Further Ado tracking fourth while racing in the clear.
Approaching the far turn, Ortiz moved Further Ado closer to the leaders and at the head of the stretch swept past Creole Chrome and the one-horse procession was on.
Further Ado had opened an 8½-length advantage at the eighth pole and cruised to the finish with the fourth-largest margin of victory in the race’s history.
Ottinho rallied from far back to get second.
A Keeneland sales graduate, Further Ado is a Kentucky-bred son of Gun Runner out of the Sky Mesa mare Sky Dreamer. Now a two-time graded stakes winner, Further Ado improved his record to 6-3-1-1 and boosted his earnings to $1,146,328 with Saturday’s $755,625 check.
Further Ado returned $3.70, $2.70 and $2.16. Ottinho rallied for second under Flavien Prat to return $6.76 and $4.30 with Talkin finishing 1¾ lengths back in third under Joel Rosario and paying $4.30 to show.
It was another 1¼ lengths back to Creole Chrome in fourth with Great White, Reagan’s Honor and Moonstrocity following in order.
