Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado (Gun Runner- Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa), who scored his maiden victory at Keeneland by 20 lengths last October, continued to show his affinity for the Lexington track when he captured the $1,250,000 Blue Gass Stakes (G1) by 11 lengths on April 4, cementing his status as one of the favorites for the first leg of the Triple Crown and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.
With the Blue Grass victory, Further Ado earned 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard for a total of 135 points and guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the 152nd running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).
Trained by Brad Cox, Further Ado is now a two-time graded stakes winner and boosted his earnings to $1,146,328.
(Keeneland photo)
“I felt he had moved forward since Tampa (when he finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) March 7), so I expected him to run well,” Cox told Keeneland publicity. “I thought he got a great trip. We kind of put a plan together with him last fall after he won here, to run him at Churchill and have two races leading up to what we hoped would get him to the (Kentucky) Derby, and it worked out. It’s always nice when a plan works out because most of the time it doesn’t. He’s a good colt, full of quality, athletic, a great mover.”
Further Ado was purchased by Spendthrift at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $550,000 from the Six K’s Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :21 1/5.
About an hour after Further Ado’s victory, So Happy (Runhappy-So Cunning, by Blame) joined him as a top Kentucky Derby contender when he prevailed in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
Trained by Mark Glatt, So Happy is owned by Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners. He previously captured the Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park Jan. 10.
“He kept on going today,” winning jockey Mike Smith told Santa Anita publicity. “Today he really felt fit and ready to race. I can’t say enough of what a great and wonderful man Mark Glatt. The Kentucky Derby is America’s race. Anyone in the world would want to be in that race. There’s more there in the tank for sure.”
Bred by Leverett Miller, So Happy was purchased by Glatt, agent for $150,000 at the 2025 OBS March Sale out of the First Call consignment after breezing in :10 flat.
The undercard of the Blue Grass Stakes saw Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming – New Narration, by Tapit) pounce at the top of the stretch and coast to a 2¾-length victory in the Commonwealth Stakes (G3).
Trained by Brad Cox, Saudi Crown is now a three-time graded stakes winner and increased his earnings to $3,686,508. Consigned by Top Line Sales LLC, Agent, to the 2022 OBS Spring Sale, Saudi Crown was sold for $240,000 after breezing in :10 flat.
At Aqueduct April 4, Winning Move Stable’s Yo Daddy (Yoshida (JPN)-Elle Stormin’, by Tale of the Cat) earned his first stakes score in the $150,000 Excelsior.
Trained by Linda Rice, Yo Daddy was offered at the 2023 OBS June Sale by Britton Peak where he failed to meet his reserve after breezing in :21 4/5.
At Evangeline Downs April 4, Michael H. Rotstein and Olof, LLC’s Tiz Mary’s Comet (Good Samaritan – Suzie’s Dream, by Tiz the One) prevailed in the $60,000 Lafayette Stakes. Trained by Rylee Magnon, the gelding was purchased by his owners at the 2025 OBS June Sale from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :10 flat.