Further Ado (Gun Runner), favored in six out of his last seven starts, will very likely be the wagering choice once again in a fantastic renewal of the $1-million GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Saturday.The Spendthrift Farm colorbearer and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' has enjoyed mixed results since romping by 11 lengths with easily a field-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 4.A disappointing 11th as the lukewarm 5-1 favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby, Further Ado got back on track with a two-length decision over the re-opposing Our Moneyman (Mr. Money) in the GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs June 7, but failed to back up that performance with a wide-trip fifth as the even-money pick in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. in the slop at Monmouth Park last time July 18.The Pennsylvania Derby 2-1 morning-line favorite will exit from post seven with Flavien Prat in the irons.“We were super confident he would run well at Monmouth and we didn't,” trainer Brad Cox said. “We don't like to make excuses–it was a sloppy track, he lost a shoe–it just didn't work out for him.”Cox continued, “People might say he is not consistent. He ran a great race (finishing second in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby) at Tampa off a layoff and he won the Blue Grass. The Derby is the Derby. You just don't put much stock in the Derby if you don't run as well as you had hoped.”Morning line favorite Further Ado stepped out to stretch his legs over the Parx Racing track ahead of Saturday's $1 million dollar Gr 1 Pennsylvania Derby pic.twitter.com/wwlw5h38NS— Let's Go Racing Parx (@letsgoracingpa) September 17, 2026The Puma, 3/4 of a length ahead of Further Ado winning the Tampa Bay Derby, will break one to the inside of that rival with first-time blinkers. Forced to miss the Kentucky Derby with swelling in his leg due to a skin infection, he rolled a pair of fours this summer in the Haskell and GI DraftKings Travers S. at Saratoga last time Aug. 29.“The Travers was a good race for him,” assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said. “Tough race, tough competition. He showed he belonged with the group. Now, of course, we are aware this won't be easy. This is a Grade I and it's a million bucks.”The Pennsylvania Derby field of 11 also includes: GI Preakness S. runner-up and Haskell third Iron Honor (Nyquist); runaway GIII West Virginia Derby winner Zihnal (Quality Road); and Ellis Park Derby winner Igniter (Volatile).This year's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine and 'Rising Star' Always a Runner (Gun Runner), meanwhile, headlines a field of nine set for the $1-million GI Cotillion S. After beginning her career a perfect three-for-three capped by a powerful win beneath the lights on the first Friday in May at Churchill Downs, she completed the exacta two times behind Counting Stars (Honor A. P.) in the GI DraftKings Acorn S. June 5 and GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 25, both at Saratoga.Always a Runner will take on the rail-drawn GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S. and GIII Monmouth Oaks heroine My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo) and narrow GI Alabama S. runner-up Measure (Essential Quality).The 15-race program at Parx, kicking off at 10:35 a.m. ET, also features a wide-open renewal of the GII Gallant Bob S. for sophomore sprinters.Saturday's graded stakes action is rounded out by the GIII Dogwood S. at Churchill Downs, headed by GI Test S. heroine and 'Rising Star' Explora (Blame); and the GIII Durham Cup S. at Woodbine.The post Further Ado in Familiar Role in Pennsylvania Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.