Klaravich Stables’ Kentucky-bred Ways and Means justified her favoritism in the $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 3.The daughter of Practical Joke won the 99th running of the of the event for sophomore fillies as much the best.
Ways and Means broke sharply under jockey Flavien Prat. The 3-5 favorite tracked off pacesetter Emery in the early stages of the seven-furlong fixture. Ways and Means overtook Emery entering the stretch and powered home to a 2 ½-length score. She covered the distance in 1:22.28 over a muddy, sealed track. It marked the initial stakes score for Ways and Means. She had previously finished second in last year’s Spinaway Stakes (G1) and in this year’s Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). She finished fourth behind Thorpedo Anna in this year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1).
A homebred for Seth Klarman of Klaravich Stables, Ways and Means is trained by Chad Brown. She is a daughter of Practical Joke out of the stakes-winning Warrior’s Reward mare Strong Incentive. Ways and Means is a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes winner Surge Capacity and graded stakes winner Highly Motivated.
Ways and Means a Special Homebred
“Anything with a homebred is extra special, and she’s got a brother and sister who are also phenomenal performers,” said Klarman. “It’s her first stakes win even though she’s done so much, and to win not just a Grade 1, but the Test is extremely special.”
With her win in the Test, Ways and Means is now a winner in three of six lifetime starts. She has amassed earnings of $569,500.
“We always knew she was a true Grade 1 horse and has had some bad luck along the way,” said Brown. “She really showed a lot of heart and perseverance to overcome her injury last year and she dealt with a sealed track today, too. We weren’t sure if she was going to like it, but she really showed up for us today.
“Cutting back has been key for her,” Brown added. “She definitely has an affinity to one-turn races and Saratoga. She was all class and Flavien gets along with her so well. I thought he did a really job to assert himself early and from there she really had no excuse with that trip.”