Further Ado Rediscovered His Best Version and Now Targets the Haskell Stakes

Following his frustrating run in the Kentucky Derby, the son of Gun Runner shone once again at Churchill Downs and dominated the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) with authority

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special to Turf Diario).– The Kentucky Derby (G1) is quickly becoming a distant memory for Further Ado. After arriving at Churchill Downs as one of the heavy choices for the Run for the Roses and finishing a disappointing eleventh, the son of Gun Runner proved once again this Sunday why he remains one of the most talented 3-year-olds of his generation.

With a solid and trouble-free performance, the representative of Spendthrift Farm captured the Matt Winn Stakes(G3), contested over 1700 meters, regaining his starring role in the North American stakes landscape and now pointing towards next month's Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.

With Irad Ortiz Jr. back in his irons, the same jockey who had guided him in 5 of his first 6 outings, Further Adobroke alertly and immediately found an ideal position tracking closely behind the pace set by Pavlovian, who posted fractions of 23s69/100 and 46s69/100.

The contrast with what happened in the Derby was evident from the start. "He broke very well and I was able to put him exactly where I wanted, right behind the lead," Ortiz explained. "He's a very high-quality horse and I just tried to keep him focused until the wire. It was a very simple race to ride because he responded at every moment."

As the frontrunners began to feel the pinch upon entering the far turn, Further Ado advanced with authority and took control of the action without anyone offering any real resistance. From then on, the story was practically settled.

The pupil of Brad Cox gradually drew away from his rivals to score by 2 lengths, while the hard-fighting Our Moneyman (Mr. Money) held onto second place ahead of Taptastic (Tapit) and Potente (Into Mischief), who closed from behind to complete the money positions.

"Today he broke much better than in the Derby, and that made a huge difference," Cox explained. "He was able to get into the race right away and later defined it with a very strong turn of foot. We are very pleased with the way he responded."

The performance allowed them to move past a Derby effort that never reflected the dark bay's true potential. Prior to that defeat, Further Ado had been one of the most impressive horses of the season by crushing his rivals by 11 lengths in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.

For that reason, the connections never lost faith. "We had this race circled as a target since the very day after the Derby," Cox added. "He arrived very well-trained and we thought it was the proper step before trying something more significant. The Haskell seems like the next logical goal."

The teletimer also confirmed the quality of the performance. Further Ado covered the 1700 meters in 1m41s26/100, the second-fastest time in the history of the Matt Winn Stakes, just behind the record of 1m41s12/100 established in 2016 by his own sire, Gun Runner (Candy Ride).

Bred by the renowned owner and breeder John Oxley, the winner was purchased by Spendthrift Farm for 550,000 dollars during the 2025 OBS 2-year-olds in training sale and now sports a record of 4 wins, one second, and one third from eight starts, with bankrolls reaching 1,446,958 dollars.

Following the stumble in the Kentucky Derby, Further Ado needed an answer. He found it at Churchill Downs, on the very same stage where he had suffered his biggest disappointment.

And he did it in the best possible way: winning and regaining his credentials to face the best of his generation once again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spdr3YM4ND0