Louisville, Kentucky, November 27, 2025
Further Ado, a promising 2-year-old colt trained by Brad Cox, will compete in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. Following a remarkable victory by 20 lengths in his last race, he is viewed as a strong contender in this Grade II race, part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Other notable entrants include Spice Runner and Universe, enhancing the competitiveness of the event, which has a rich history of producing Kentucky Derby winners.
Louisville, Kentucky – Further Ado, a talented 2-year-old colt trained by Brad Cox, is set to showcase his skills in the 99th running of the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Grade II) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, November 29, 2025. This prestigious race is a vital part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering crucial qualifying points for the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Further Ado captured attention with an outstanding performance in his last race, achieving a dominant 20-length victory in a maiden special weight event at Keeneland on October 10, 2025. He completed a distance of 1 1/16 miles in a time of 1:43.52 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 98, marking the highest two-turn number for any 2-year-old in 2025. His impressive debut has led to his classification as a TDN Rising Star, highlighting his potential in the racing world.
The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes will feature a competitive lineup of seven promising 2-year-old colts, including:
- Spice Runner: A bay colt trained by Steve Asmussen, who previously won the Iroquois Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.
- Universe: Trained by Kenny McPeek, this colt finished second in the Street Sense Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs.
- Very Connected: Also under the training of McPeek, this horse earned his first win in September and placed third in the Street Sense Stakes.
The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is positioned as Race 10 of the Stars of Tomorrow II program, showcasing 12 races exclusively for 2-year-olds. This event has a notable history, having produced over 50 Grade I winners, including champions of the Kentucky Derby.
The race is scheduled to start at 5:25 p.m. Eastern Time at Churchill Downs, where racing fans eagerly await the performance of Further Ado and his competitors on this celebrated stage.
In related news, Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, plans to install a new turf course, with construction slated to begin in March 2026. The goal is to resume turf racing by late summer 2026 following the suspension of turf racing due to unfavorable course conditions since August 2024.
The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes stands as a pivotal event for 2-year-old colts on their journey to the Kentucky Derby. All eyes will be on Further Ado as he looks to build on his remarkable debut performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes?
- The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is a Grade II horse race for 2-year-old colts, held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a key event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering valuable qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.
- Who is Further Ado?
- Further Ado is a 2-year-old colt trained by Brad Cox. He gained prominence with a dominant 20-length victory in a maiden special weight race at Keeneland on October 10, 2025, completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.52 and earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 98.
- What is the significance of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes?
- The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is a significant race for 2-year-old colts, offering qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. The race has a history of producing over 50 Grade I winners, including Kentucky Derby champions.
- When and where is the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes held?
- The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes is scheduled as Race 10 on the Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with a post time of 5:25 p.m. Eastern Time.
- What is the current status of turf racing at Parx Racing?
- Turf racing at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, has been suspended since August 2024 due to course conditions. Parx Racing plans to install a new turf course, with construction set to begin in March 2026, aiming to resume turf racing by late summer 2026.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Race Name | Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (Grade II) |
| Date | Saturday, November 29, 2025 |
| Location | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Distance | 1 1/16 miles |
| Prize Money | $400,000 |
| Notable Entrant | Further Ado |
| Trainer | Brad Cox |
| Previous Performance | 20-length victory in maiden special weight at Keeneland on October 10, 2025 |
| Race Significance | Part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby |
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