Ways and Means Tackles Elders in Gallant Bloom

After a show of force against fillies of her own age group in the Aug. 3 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, Ways and Means  steps into older competition as she faces four rivals in the $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack Sept. 29.

Well thought of since her 12 3/4-length domination on debut at Saratoga in August 2023, her subsequent four starts did not go as planned. Sustaining an injury when second in the Spinaway Stakes (G1), the daughter of Practical Joke   had a shortened spring campaign to try and make the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1), where she finished fourth.

Trainer Chad Brown then cut the filly back and readjusted into a more relaxed schedule. The Klaravich Stables' homebred responded with a resounding 8 1/4 length victory in allowance company at the Spa June 6 before finally earning her first graded win by 2 1/2 lengths in the Test.

Video: Test S. Presented by Ticketmaster (G1)

Following that victory, Brown has pointed Ways and Means toward a start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2, but felt she could use a race in between.

"She's doing great and seems to be holding her form good," Brown said. "She's in the best shape I've ever seen her."

An earner of $569,500, Ways and Means has yet to win in two starts outside of Saratoga, but races around one turn away from upstate New York for the first time. She breaks from the middle of the field in post three under Flavien Prat.

The Competition

Among the elders she'll face in the 6 1/2-furlong contest is Mark Anderson's Sterling Silver , who looks to avenge herself after she was disqualified for interference from a four-length win in the Gallant Bloom one year ago.

The 5-year-old daughter of Cupid  , who was trained by Tom Albertrani until his retirement this spring, has now made three starts for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. She earned her first victory for the new barn Aug. 7 by 9 3/4 lengths in the Johnstone Mile Handicap against New York-breds at Saratoga.

The multiple graded stakes placed mare breaks from the rail under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Directly to her outside is another "newer" addition to the Mott barn: Stephen Rousseau's Nic's Style .

The Florida-bred daughter of Uncaptured  began her career at Gulfstream Park with trainer Ralph Nicks, winning both starts by a combined 16 1/2 lengths. In her first start for Mott Aug. 17 at Saratoga, she set the pace with jockey Junior Alvarado and drew off to win by 5 3/4 lengths. Those three starts occurred over 27 1/2 months, making this six-week comeback the shortest of her career by far.

Multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed Hot Fudge  and Pacific Rose , winner in two of three starts since relocating from the West Coast to Monmouth Park, round out the field.

The Gallant Bloom will be held as race 2 with post time at 1:34 p.m. ET.