‘Rising Star’ Further Ado Delivers as 3-5 Favorite in Kentucky Jockey Club

[Wandering Eyes]

'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner), a jaw-dropping, 20-length maiden winner in his two-turn debut at Keeneland Oct. 10, took care of business as the 3-5 favorite in Saturday's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs. Universe (Global Campaign) was second; Soldier N Diplomat (Army Mule) was third.

Placed in a tracking fourth through fractions of :23.35 and :46.76, Further Ado made a three-wide bid approaching the quarter pole, and, after a long drive, fought his way past Solider N Diplomat in deep stretch to collect 10 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby. He had 1 3/4 lengths over the rallying Universe at the wire.

The final time for 1 1/16 miles was 1:43.33.

A $275,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Further Ado was hammered down to the Spendthrift braintrust for $550,000 after breezing a quarter-mile in :21 1/5 at this year's OBS April Sale.

O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

Further Ado picks up 10 Kentucky Derby points in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club at @ChurchillDowns! @iradortiz was aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and @spendthriftfarm!

#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/SDJKbZ5jiJ

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 29, 2025

Saturday, Churchill Downs
KENTUCKY JOCKEY CLUB S.-GII, $400,000, Churchill Downs, 11-29, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.33, ft.
1–FURTHER ADO, 122, c, 2, by Gun Runner
            1st Dam: Sky Dreamer (GSP-USA, MSP-Can, $176,065),
                        by Sky Mesa
            2nd Dam: To Dream About, by Monarchos
            3rd Dam: Beautiful Pleasure, by Maudlin
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. 1ST BLACK TYPE
WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($275,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP;
$550,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-John C.
Oxley (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $242,470. Lifetime
Record: 4-2-0-1, $320,703. *1/2 to Kimbear (Temple City),
MGSW-UAE, GSP-USA, $807,269. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Universe, 122, c, 2, Global Campaign–Equalityforall,
by Quality Road. ($75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-4 G Racing LLC,
Gregg Day, Steven Crain  and Magdalena Racing; B-Becky
Pietras (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $78,700.
3–Soldier N Diplomat, 122, c, 2, Army Mule–Diplomatic Miss,
by Violence. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
($950,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-St. Elias Stable; B-Machmer
Hall (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $39,350.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.71, 12.39, 7.37.
Also Ran: Very Connected, Cherokee Nation, Dr. Kapur, Spice Runner. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

The post ‘Rising Star’ Further Ado Delivers as 3-5 Favorite in Kentucky Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article