Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Blue Grass Stakes

Apr 01, 2026 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Further Ado wins the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)

A total of nine three-year-old horses will travel the distance of 1 1/8 miles over the dirt surface at Keeneland in Saturday’s lucrative, $1.25 million Blue Grass (G1). The major qualifying race towards the Run for the Roses in Louisville on May 2 is part of the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series, with the top five across the wire earning points on a 100-50-25-15-10 structure.

The race lacks a clear standout, with many contenders who can have a say in the outcome, but the top choice goes to Grade 2 winner Further Ado, trained by Brad Cox. Owned by the powerful Spendthrift Farm, the son of the remarkable Gun Runner finished fifth in his debut in the summer at Saratoga, followed by a third-place result in his second run at the same race track. He turned the corner in his third appearance while stretching out in distance. Racing at Keeneland for the initial time on Oct. 10, the chestnut took the lead approaching the turn for home and strode home to a fantastic 20-length win under the wire.

FURTHER ADO makes his 3YO debut in Saturday's G3 Tampa Bay Derby! 🤩

He ended 2025 with a win in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs.

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Further Ado, who cost $550,000 at public auction in 2025, concluded his two-year-old season with a game victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. The horse made his first run of the year in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 7 and finished a nice second while splitting two good horses. He has posted two morning workouts since that run at Tampa Bay and seems to be coming into the Blue Grass in fine fashion. His regular rider, Irad Ortiz, Jr., will once again be atop the three-year-old.

Class President has raced three times to this point in his career and has been first or second in each race. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the three-year-old horse by excellent sire Uncle Mo won his first race, finished second in the subsequent Swale S. at Gulfstream Park, and was last seen winning the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park. The Kentucky-bred, who is part-owned by his breeder WinStar Farm, likes to be close early in his races and will be forward from the break on Saturday. He has room to improve with just three runs to his credit and will have Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in the saddle.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #6 Further Ado on top of #2 Class President in the 2026 Blue Grass Stakes is the Best Bet of the Week.