Fully Subscribed stars in Spinster; Agate rallies in Bourbon

A pair of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers served as the highlights of a graded stakes triple on the first Sunday of Keeneland’s autumn meet.

Spinster (G1)

The $598,000 Spinster, a 1 1/8-mile steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), went as expected with Fully Subscribed cruising to a comfortable victory.

The 1-2 favorite off a runaway win in the Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga, Fully Subscribed faced only two rivals in the Spinster, following the scratches of Regaled and Snowyte. She tracked pace fractions of :24.19, :48.43, and 1:13.00 set by 2024 champion two-year-old filly Immersive, then took over and pulled away to triumph by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:50.60.

“A three-horse field can be kind of a Tom-and-Jerry game. But she jumped well and everything set up good,” said jockey Flavien Prat, who rode Fully Subscribed for trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables. “She was traveling well and gave me a good run.”

Counting Stars, an accomplished sophomore with wins in the Acorn (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) on her record, rallied to finish second, half a dozen lengths ahead of Immersive.

Mark Casse, who trains Counting Stars, indicated his filly will skip the Breeders’ Cup and rest up for a 2027 campaign.

Bourbon (G2)

Juveniles raced 1 1/16 miles over the Keeneland turf course in the $398,750 Bourbon, and Agate outkicked all others to earn the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) berth up for grabs.

The Dede McGehee homebred gelding started as the 7-2 second choice off a third-place finish in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile, and he exceeded the expectations of bettors with a fast-finishing triumph. Agate rated in seventh place behind fractions of :22.39, :46.27, and 1:10.91, then threaded his way through traffic under jockey Tyler Gaffalione to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:42.64.

“This horse was very willing,” said Gaffalione of the Kelsey Danner trainee. “He listened to all my commands, responded when I needed him to and really finished up great. I’m so proud of his effort today.”

Favored Bold Leadership closed from a dozen lengths back to finish second over Real Goodbar, followed by Popcorn, Mid American, Mad Mo, Hemingway, Blaring Ambition, Heracles, and Trim Castle. Let Em Know scratched after winning the Pilgrim (G2) at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Indian Summer (G3)

Although it isn’t part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the $291,100 Indian Summer for two-year-olds sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on grass is a logical prep for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), and Adonius—the stretch-running 2026 Indian Summer winner—has the Breeders’ Cup as his target.

The Irish-bred gelding won his first three starts before finishing second in two stakes, including the Molecomb (G3). The Indian Summer marked his first start outside of the United Kingdom, and the result was an eye-catching victory as the 7-2 third choice. The Rebecca Menzies trainee broke slowly, then stormed from eight lengths behind fast fractions of :21.15 and :44.37 to win by a head in a four-horse photo finish.

Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez was aboard.

“(My heart sank) a little bit (when he broke badly), but they were going a good gallop, and he’s never had a pace to aim at in the U.K. before, and (jockey) Johnny (Velazquez) got him really settled,” said Menzies. “I was pretty happy because I know he’s a very honest horse and when (Velazquez) pulled him out wide and came late, I know he always tries to the line. I actually thought, ‘Oh, great, he’s probably going to finish fourth here.’ Then when I saw him really rallying and putting his head down, it’s a testament to the horse.”

Love a Warrior edged Wood Island by a nose for second place, with Ruiva another head back in fourth. Fanshell Beach, Cactus Closer, Crack On, Bee Crazy, and Ciarlatano trailed the field. The winning time was 1:03.46.

Adonius races for the partnership of Riverdee Stable, West Paces Racing, and Michael Hughes.

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