Further Ado to face eight in Tampa Bay Derby

Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Further Ado will look to punch his Kentucky Derby ticket when returning in Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The Brad Cox-trained colt tops a field of nine in the 1 1/16-mile race, and Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be distributed on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top finishers.

A 20-length maiden scorer when stretching to two tuns at Keeneland last fall, Further Ado was forced to work harder when narrowly capturing the Kentucky Jockey Club from just off the pace in late November. His Brisnet Speed Ratings are formidable, and the chestnut son of Gun Runner appears to be training forwardly, recording a recent five-furlong bullet at Palm Beach Downs. Further Ado retains the services of Irad Ortiz Jr.

His main rivals include last-out maiden winner Canaletto and a pair of maidens, Powershift and The Puma.

A half-brother to 2025 Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Preakness (G1) third-placer Sandman, Canaletto exits an impressive eight-length debut win at Gulfstream in late January. The $1 million son of Into Mischief was flattered when third-placer Autobahn came back recently to crush maiden special weight rivals, and Canaletto projects to be up or on the pace from the break. Flavien Prat rides for Chad Brown.

Powershift is a contender for Todd Pletcher. By Constitution, the dark bay colt narrowly missed and registered an outstanding 98 Brisnet Speed Rating when making his career debut in a well-rated maiden special weight on the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis undercard at Tampa Bay Downs. The winner, Emerging Market, is training for a serious assault upon the Louisiana Derby (G2), and Powershift will look to keep advancing with new jockey John Velazquez.

The Puma overcame a slow start to record a good second to Chief Wallabee at first asking, and the Gustavo Delgado-trained colt experienced a rough trip finishing third in Sam F. Davis. The chestnut colt shows a couple of swift works in the 28-day interim, and The Puma is eligible to show more early speed with Javier Castellano retaking the mount.

Champagne (G1) runner-up Talkin, scratched from last Saturday’s Fountain of Youth (G2), rates as intriguing for Danny Gargan. Hulkamania, a romping debut winner at Tampa Feb. 8, and Mucho Macho Man runner-up Roger That Dana are also part of the mix.