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After finishing fifth as the favorite in the Grade 1 Haskell last out, Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado will try to rebound in the $1 million G1 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Saturday, Sept. 19.
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The Brad Cox trainee will have jockey Flavien Prat aboard from post 12. Further Ado is the 2-1 morning line favorite among 12 sophomores set to go 1 ⅛ miles in Bensalem, Pa.
An 11-length winner of the 1 ⅛-mile G1 Blue Grass at Keeneland in April, Further Ado was sent off as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby, ultimately finishing 11th. He returned in June for a two-length victory over returning rival Our Moneyman in the G3 Matt Winn, then again tasted defeat in the Haskell as the favorite.
Cox told the Kentucky HBPA that the sloppy, sealed surface at Monmouth Park on Haskell Day could have negatively affected the son of Gun Runner.
“I don’t want to make too many excuses,” Cox said. “We’re thinking he’ll rebound with the way he’s been training here. We got a good track, good fair track going on at Parx. I think the key is about breaking and getting in a good position and getting in a good rhythm and stay on the mile and an eighth.”
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Cox previously won the Pennsylvania Derby with Saudi Crown in 2023. Now a 6-year-old, the son of Always Dreaming returns to Pennsylvania for the $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile.
Saudi Crown began 2026 with a victory in a ratings handicap at Oaklawn Park, followed by a 2 ¾-length triumph in the G3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland in April. He finished fifth in the G1 Met Mile in his last outing.
“This looks like a good spot for him,” Cox told the Kentucky HBPA.
After taking down the Carthyn Sophia Stakes at Parx on Aug. 18, Tap to Open will represent the Cox barn in the G1 Cotillion for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles. The daughter of Tapit has won her last three starts and will make her graded stakes debut.
“It’s obviously a big step up, but we’re hopeful,” Cox told the Kentucky HBPA.
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This story was originally published September 16, 2026 at 8:05 AM.