Further Ado wins Blue Grass Stakes for Brad Cox as Kentucky Derby nears

The win was another for trainer Brad Cox as Kentucky Derby 2026 approaches.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:35pm

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Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., won the $1.25 million, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday. The win earned Further Ado 100 qualifying points toward the upcoming Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Why it matters

The Blue Grass Stakes is a major Kentucky Derby prep race, and the winner often goes on to compete in the Kentucky Derby. However, the Blue Grass winner hasn't won the Kentucky Derby since 1991, so Further Ado's victory provides an opportunity to break that drought.

The details

Further Ado covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.59 and paid $3.70 to win on a $2 wager. Runner-up Ottinho earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby. Two horses, Class President and Ocelli, were scratched before the race.

  • Further Ado won the Blue Grass Stakes on April 4, 2026.
  • The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 2, 2026.

The players

Further Ado

The winner of the 2026 Blue Grass Stakes, earning 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.

Brad Cox

The trainer of Further Ado, who has had another successful Kentucky Derby prep race win.

Irad Ortiz Jr.

The jockey who rode Further Ado to victory in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Ottinho

The runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes, earning 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.

Todd Pletcher

The trainer of Class President, who was scratched from the Blue Grass Stakes due to concerns about the horse's recent training.

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What they’re saying

“I was not happy with the way he trained the last couple of days. He is going to a clinic the first of next week for some tests. It's a bump in the road, and we're not giving up on the (Kentucky Derby) trail. But the timing is not ideal.”

— Todd Pletcher, Class President trainer

What’s next

Further Ado will now prepare for the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 2026 at Churchill Downs, where he will look to become the first Blue Grass Stakes winner to also win the Kentucky Derby since 1991.

The takeaway

Brad Cox continues to have success in major Kentucky Derby prep races, with Further Ado's Blue Grass Stakes victory positioning the horse as a top contender for the upcoming Kentucky Derby. However, the recent drought of Blue Grass winners going on to win the Kentucky Derby means Further Ado will need to break that trend to capture the Run for the Roses.