Brown Has Options for Ways and Means After Spa Romp

Klaravich Stables' grade 1-placed homebred sophomore filly Ways and Means  made a sparkling return to Saratoga Race Course, taking a June 6 allowance against older fillies and mares by 8 1/4 lengths traveling one mile out of the Wilson Chute.

Video: Saratoga, Race 7, ALW

Trained by Chad Brown, the Practical Joke   filly exited post 6-of-8 under Flavien Prat, breaking awkwardly and losing her footing while jostling with a foe before settling outside rivals. She ranged into contention three-wide on the final turn and took command under a hand ride en route to a facile score in a final time of 1:35.90.

Brown said after the race he was pleased with the effort from Ways and Means, who was making her first start since finishing fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) over sloppy and sealed footing on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

"It was nice. She was bouncing around at the start—her own doing—she didn't come out straight, but Flavien got her quickly in a good position," Brown said. "It was just what I wanted to see—a good race through the finish, and really get some confidence and put her back on a good path again."

Ways and Means made her first two starts at the Spa, graduating on debut in August by 12 3/4 lengths in a six-furlong maiden special weight. She followed with a troubled second in the seven-furlong Spinaway Stakes (G1) Sept. 3, finishing a half-length back of the victorious Brightwork .

Ways and Means returned in March with a runner-up effort to Power Squeeze  in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) ahead of her Kentucky Oaks effort where the Brown-trainee was steadied, wide and collared late.

Brown said Thursday's effort was an important confidence booster for the lightly-raced but talented filly.

"(Confidence) is very important. Especially with a horse you think this highly of and have big plans for," Brown said. "I knew I took a bit of a risk rushing her into the Oaks, but I thought she was really good enough. I don't believe it was the distance. I think it was the sloppy track and such and things just didn't go her way that day."

Brown now has the option of stretching the filly out for upcoming grade 1 Spa races such as the 1 1/8-mile $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) July 20 and the 1 1/4-mile $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug.17, or turning back slightly for the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) going seven furlongs Aug. 3.

"After a mile race, there are some decisions—you're either going to go further or shorter. There's not going to be races like this, so I have to think about that," Brown said.