In a follow-up to an impressive initial triumph at Keeneland the prior month, Further Ado secured a 1 3/4-length victory in the $400,000 Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on November 29 at Churchill Downs.
The owners of Further Ado, Spendthrift Farm, already possessed a strong contender for the 2026 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve in the presumed champion 2-year-old Ted Noffey, who concluded a perfect 4-for-4 year by winning the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by TAA on October 31 at Del Mar.
Now, it appears they have two formidable contenders, with Further Ado strengthening Spendthrift’s already impressive prospects.
The Kentucky Jockey Club victory on Saturday was not as straightforward as Further Ado’s earlier win at Keeneland on October 10, where he dominated the competition by 20 lengths while racing near the front, but it was still encouraging. He defeated a talented group of 2-year-olds, achieving this by coming from behind to overtake the pacesetter Soldier N Diplomat, and he demonstrated his ability to handle the track at Churchill Downs, the location of the Kentucky Derby on May 2 of the upcoming year.
“Clearly, if your goal is the Derby, it’s vital to perform well here at Churchill,” remarked trainer Brad Cox.
Racing wide, Further Ado crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of the late-charging Universe, who edged a half-length past the tiring Soldier N Diplomat, trained by Steve Asmussen, for second.
“He displayed a different aspect of his racing today,” commented jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. “I was able to let the early speed go and secure a favorable position. He had to exert himself late to reach the finish line first. I believe this race will greatly benefit him moving forward.”
Further Ado was timed in 1:43.33, the fastest of four races at 1 1/16 miles on dirt during a Saturday dedicated to juvenile racing at Churchill Downs, although the margin was slight. The race’s fractions were :23.35, :46.76, and 1:10.84—established by Dr. Kapur, who subsequently yielded the lead to Soldier N Diplomat, who had been tracking the pace, as they exited the second turn.
While his overall time was swift, Further Ado’s final sixteenth of a mile in :06.78 was not particularly fast. This relatively slow split allowed Universe to close ground on him late, and Universe surged past him on the gallop out. Universe raced wide into the second turn before angling inward down the stretch.
“I believe we need a bit more luck with his trip,” stated Universe’s trainer, Kenny McPeek.
Further Ado now has a record of 2 wins, 0 seconds, and 1 third in four starts, with total earnings of $320,703. He has been victorious in both of his route races.
Very Connected, another trainee of McPeek, finished in fourth place. Cherokee Nation, trained by Bob Baffert, encountered bumping and was shuffled back in the scramble to the first turn, ultimately finishing fifth.
The Kentucky Jockey Club awarded qualifying points toward the following year’s Kentucky Derby on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis to its top five finishers. Churchill Downs utilizes these points to promote the race and as a tie-breaking system when the Derby attracts more entries than its maximum field size of 20 starters.
While Cox did not immediately specify which races he would target with Further Ado in the coming year, he mentioned that with the colt’s 10 Derby points, a two-race campaign prior to the Derby is probable. Cox is anticipated to train Further Ado at Payson Park during the winter. Although Cox bases his stable at that South Florida training facility, he has demonstrated a willingness to send his top dirt horses to Fair Grounds Race Course in Louisiana or Oaklawn Park in Arkansas for stakes races. He also runs horses at Gulfstream Park in Florida.
Ted Noffey is being directed toward a winter and spring campaign at Gulfstream Park under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher.
Bella Ballerina has officially embarked on the path to the 2026 Longines Kentucky Oaks, marked by her victory on November 29 in the $397,375 Grade 2 Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione.
Bella Ballerina maintained a comfortable position behind fractions of :23.45, :46.31, and 1:11.19, set by the pacesetting Letmecounttheways, who established an early lead. Bella Ballerina then effortlessly took command in the stretch and fended off the late challenges of runner-up Atropa and Just Singing, who finished third. She won by a half-length in a time of 1:43.50 and paid $10.28 to win.
Bella Ballerina’s first graded stakes victory occurred in her first start around two turns. Coming off a dominant 4 1/4-length debut win at Keeneland on October 5 at six furlongs, Walsh expressed confidence that the filly could handle the added distance in her second outing.
“She possesses a pedigree that suggests she can stay the distance,” Walsh commented. “She should show significant improvement and continue her progress next year.”
With her victory, Bella Ballerina earned 10 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, as the top five finishers received points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale.
“It’s crucial to have a race over this track if you believe you have a filly of sufficient quality to target the Oaks,” stated Godolphin ownership representative Michael Banahan. “A truly impressive effort from the filly, and we can now dream about the Oaks during the winter.” — Sean Collins
