Chad Brown's Fillies Shine at Saratoga Ahead of Breeders' Cup
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY - Five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown celebrated a memorable Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, as three of his fillies captured graded stakes victories. Ways and Means, Fully Subscribed, and Naomis each delivered winning performances, with jockey Flavien Prat guiding all three to victory.
The trio of wins positions Brown's stable strongly for the upcoming Breeders' Cup at Keeneland in October, with two of the fillies securing automatic entry berths through the 'Win and You're In' series.
Ways and Means Dominates the Ballerina
Ways and Means, owned by Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, continued her remarkable record at Saratoga with a 5 1/2-length victory in the Grade 1, $500,000 Resorts World Casino Ballerina. The seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares produced a 104 Beyer Speed Figure and secured her place in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
The Kentucky homebred has now won six of seven starts at the Spa. Brown noted the filly's significance to his barn, saying, 'It was a very special result. She's got six wins in seven starts at Saratoga, that's just a remarkable career that's coming to an end soon.'
Brown has won the Filly and Mare Sprint three times previously, with Wavell Avenue in 2015 and twice with Goodnight Olive in 2022 and 2023. He believes Ways and Means belongs in that company.
'I think she's as good as them. Hopefully, she can stay healthy and get in that race the right way,' Brown said. 'She's the best looking filly that's ever come into my barn.'
Fully Subscribed Earns First Grade 1 Victory
Fully Subscribed delivered a breakthrough performance in the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, scoring by 9 3/4 lengths over nine furlongs. The 4-year-old Tiz the Law chestnut earned a career-best 106 Beyer and a berth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.
The filly had finished second in two Grade 1 races earlier this year, including the La Troienne and the Ogden Phipps. Brown expressed satisfaction with her progress.
'She's really stepped up and moved forward like we thought she could,' Brown said. 'She's put it all together finally. She's always trained really good but yesterday was a breakthrough performance.'
Fully Subscribed will next run in either the Grade 2 Beldame on September 25 at Belmont Park or the Grade 1 Spinster on October 3 at Keeneland as her final prep for the Breeders' Cup.
Naomis Impresses in Stateside Debut
Naomis, owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Thirty Year Racing, and Michael J. Caruso, made a winning debut on American soil. The French-bred filly closed from last of eight to take the Grade 2 Lake Placid by half a length over one mile on turf.
The City Light bay had previously won the Grade 2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly in May. Brown plans to stretch her out to nine furlongs for the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on October 10 at Keeneland.
Travers Day Results for Brown's Colts
Brown also saw two of his colts compete in the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers. Emerging Market finished fifth, while Sea Strike landed sixth behind winner Leading Change. Brown indicated Emerging Market would receive a break, while no definite plans have been made for Sea Strike.
Spirit of St Louis Surpasses $2 Million in Earnings
The successful weekend continued on Friday when Spirit of St Louis, a dual Grade 1 winner, surpassed $2 million in career earnings with a half-length victory in the state-bred West Point. The 7-year-old Medaglia d'Oro gelding has banked $2,035,000 through a 24-12-5-1 record.
Brown indicated the horse may have a few more starts before transitioning to a second career as an 8-year-old. A logical next spot would be the state-bred Mohawk on October 24 at Belmont Park, a race he won in 2023 and 2024.
Always a Runner Prepares for Cotillion
Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner worked a half-mile in 48.75 seconds on Saturday at Saratoga. The Gun Runner filly is pointing toward the Grade 1 Cotillion on September 19 at Parx Racing.
'She's working like she was in May again. It's remarkable that she's been able to hold form,' Brown said.
Always a Runner has made five starts this year, winning the Gazelle and the Kentucky Oaks before finishing second in two Grade 1 races at Saratoga.
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on August 31, 2026.