Despite Florida Series Opening, Plans Unchanged For Further Ado

[Wandering Eyes]

The Spendthrift Farm team never wanted to run its pair of 3-year-old male 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard', against one another during the lead-up to the GI Kentucky Derby. But that was no longer a problem when Ted Noffey (Into Mischief)–who was being pointed for the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes and the GI Florida Derby–was taken off the Trail due to bone bruising.

So, that created a situation where Spendthrift's other 3-year-old star, Further Ado (Gun Runner), who is based in South Florida at Payson Park, might be asked to fill the void and be rerouted to the Florida series.

Apparently, it's not going to happen.

“[Trainer] Brad [Cox] is leaning toward the original schedule that he had mapped out,” said Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey. “It goes without saying that with horse racing everything is extremely tentative, but he is looking at the [Mar. 7] Tampa Bay Derby, followed by the [Apr. 4] Blue Grass. I haven't talked to Brad a ton about this, but I think he just felt the timing going into the Tampa race made a little more sense.”

Toffey said the reports out of Payson Park on Further Ado have been nothing but positive.

“Everything has been positive, and they are happy with how his breezes have gone,” Toffey said. “He's had a couple of works and will have his third work this weekend. Brad is pleased, and he was really happy with his fitness level. He felt like he was ready to move forward. Once he got the Tampa race in mind, I think he didn't want to adjust and feel rushed into anything.”

In his third career start, Further Ado put in an explosive performance, winning a Keeneland maiden race by 20 lengths. He backed that effort up with a 1 3/4-length win in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.

Ted Noffey shipped to the training center at Stonestreet Farms.

“We've used a couple of different people for layups in Ocala,” Toffey said. “They've got some really good bells and whistles at Stonestreet as far as the rehab process goes. It starts with time, and then it's a process of easing him back into exercise. They have an Aquaciser. It's not the submerged treadmill, but the round one. That will be a good thing for a horse easing his way back into things as we get closer to that 90-day mark.

“Maybe I should have been more disappointed than I was when we learned that Ted Noffey would be sidelined, but, you know what, he owes us nothing,” he said. “He's an undefeated 2-year-old champion. You just have to do the right thing by the horses, and I feel pretty confident that there's nothing there that will prevent him from coming back very strong. It's just a matter of us giving him the time.”

FURTHER ADO earns 10 points on the Road to the @KentuckyDerby with his 1 3/4 length victory in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes with @iradortiz aboard! This was trainer @bradcoxracing's 500th career win at @ChurchillDowns!

Congratulations to all connections! pic.twitter.com/sFDPWRqNX1

— Equibase (@Equibase) November 29, 2025

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