Returning Further Ado Has Experience Edge Over Tampa Bay Derby Rivals

[Wandering Eyes]

Spendthrift Farm's 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner), a smashing 20-length maiden winner at Keeneland last fall and workmanlike winner of the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 29, launches his 3-year-old campaign in Saturday's GIII Esmark Tampa Bay Derby.

The $275,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $550,000 OBS April breezer has posted six workouts at trainer Brad Cox's Payson Park base for his return, including a bullet five furlongs in 1:01 (1/28) Feb. 21.

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the call from post six aboard the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

“He's really trained great over the surface here at Payson–he's always been a good work horse,” Cox said. “We took him to Saratoga last year as a 2-year-old and started putting things together in the afternoon when he went around two turns. His works have been every bit as good leading up to this race on Saturday as they were last year. He's an athletic colt and a good mover. We're looking forward to getting his 3-year-old season going on Saturday.”

Fellow 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Canaletto (Into Mischief) heads straight into the deep end for Chad Brown following a jaw-dropping, eight-length debut victory going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25. The half-brother to last term's GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit) is drawn widest of all in post nine with Flavien Prat aboard. He brought $1 million from Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant and Brook T. Smith as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling.

The Tampa Bay Derby also includes a pair of very promising maidens.

Repole Stable's Powershift (Constitution), a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling, lost nothing in defeat finishing a game second as the favorite behind the GII Louisiana Derby-bound 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' and Brown-trained Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}) going two turns on debut for Todd Pletcher at Tampa Feb. 7.

The Puma (Essential Quality), meanwhile, had a less-than-ideal trip finishing a well-beaten third for Gustavo Delgado at a well-backed 5-2 in the course-and-distance Sam F. Davis S. Feb. 7. He was previously a fantastic debut second as the favorite behind last weekend's highly regarded GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. runner-up and 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Chief Wallabee (Constitution) at Gulfstream Jan. 10. The $150,000 OBS April graduate is campaigned in partnership by OGMA Investments LLC, JR Ranch and High Step Racing LLC.

The Tampa Bay Derby, good for 50-25-15-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, is one of four graded stakes on a fantastic 12-race program at Tampa Bay Downs Saturday. The card also includes the GII Hillsborough S., GIII Florida Oaks and GIII Michelob Ultra Challenger S.

Brant Kicks Off Season in San Felipe on Big 'Cap Day

Last term's GI Del Mar Futurity winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third-place finisher Brant (Gun Runner) will face off against unbeaten GII San Vicente S. winner So Happy (Runhappy) in Saturday's GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita.

Brant, a 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard,' fired a six-furlong bullet for Bob Baffert from the gate in 1:11 4/5 (1/7) for his sophomore debut Feb. 21. He brought a sale-topping $3 million from Zedan Racing Stables, Inc. as an OBS March 2-year-old.

“He's doing well. He was just a little behind to make the Rebel,” Baffert said. “I think this will be a good race for him.”

Brant | Horsephotos

So Happy stretches to two turns for the first time for Norman Stables LLC and Saints or Sinners and trainer Mark Glatt following a two-length score in the seven-furlong San Vicente Jan. 10.

The San Felipe offers 50-25-15-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Only five remain for the GI Santa Anita Handicap, led by 3-2 morning-line favorite Just a Touch (Justify), who seeks his first career stakes victory. He was a close second for Brad Cox in the GIII Louisiana S. at Fair Grounds last out Jan. 17.

The Big 'Cap program also prominently features the GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile S., led by GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine and 4-5 program favorite Splendora (Audible); and the GII Frank E. Kilroe Mile S.

Last year's champion 2-year-old filly and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies upsetter Super Corredora (Gun Runner) will look to rebound in Sunday's GIII Santa Ysabel S. at Santa Anita. She was a disappointing fourth in her 2026 lidlifter in the Las Virgenes S. Feb. 8.

Champion Nitrogen Headlines Azeri

Last year's champion 3-year-old filly Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) will be heavily favored in Saturday's GII Azeri S. at Oaklawn Park. The 2025 GI Alabama S. heroine and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff runner-up launched her 4-year-old campaign with a facile win in the GIII Bayakoa S. in Hot Springs Feb. 7.

“She doesn't take a lot (to get ready), as you saw going into the last race,” trainer Mark Casse said of the D. J. Stable homebred. “I think, just watching her train, I think she's training as good as ever, maybe better. She came out of that race and has thrived.”

Saturday's graded stakes action also includes the GIII Hurricane Bertie S. at Gulfstream Park.

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