Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado stamped himself as a horse to watch with a 20-length victory  Friday afternoon for trainer Brad Cox for his first win in three starts.

Blake Cox, assistant to his father and who oversaw the Saratoga string this summer, was on hand when Further Ado had a couple of midpack finishes while sprinting.

“We were scratching our heads after his first two starts,” Cox said. “He had been working too well, and he was working with older horses and putting them away.”

Fast-forward to Friday, when Further Ado received his first test going two turns. All he did was draw off to win under Irad Ortiz Jr. and complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.52, faster than it took Spendthrift’s Ted Noffey to win the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) on Oct. 4.

Cox indicated the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs on Nov. 29 or an allowance race around that time could be next for Further Ado.

Further Ado’s victory mirrored that of Spendthrift in the race for leading owner at the Fall Meet. Spendthrift has sent out six starters in the first six days of the 17-day meet and all six have won.

One of Spendthrift’s winners is owned in partnership with Repole Stable.