Ways and Means runs away in Ballerina

A glorious afternoon for trainer Chad Brown and jockey Flavien Prat continued through the $500,000 Ballerina (G1) on Saturday, when Ways and Means extended her dominance over the Saratoga strip with a 5 1/2-length decision over eight rivals in the seven-furlong Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).

Sitting a perfect trip in fourth behind a strong pace set by Maida, Ways and Means pounced turning for home and drew off easily to win for the sixth time in seven starts at the Spa. It was the third stakes win of the day for Brown and Prat, who teamed up to win the Personal Ensign (G1) with Fully Subscribed and the Lake Placid (G2) with Naomis.

“I was traveling well behind the pace, and when I got to the turn I didn't want to move too soon, but she naturally came with me and was wanting to go, so I kind of let her creep up to the pace,” Prat said. “After that, when we turned from home, she responded.”

A homebred for Klaravich Stables, Ways and Means zipped the fast-track test in 1:22.05 and paid $4.70. Kilwin finished second by 1 1/4 lengths over Beauty Reigns, who was followed by Echo Sound, Paradise City, R Disaster, Eclatant, Maida, and Grammy Girl.

Brown said he would train Ways and Means up to the Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31. She finished fifth as the 2-1 favorite in the 2024 edition at Del Mar and missed out on competing last season after an abbreviated two-race campaign.

In addition to the Ballerina, Ways and Means has also posted wins in the Test (G1) and Gallant Bloom (G2) in 2024 and the last two editions of the Bed o’ Roses (G2). Her record now stands at 13-7-3-1.

A five-year-old by Practical Joke, Ways and Means was reared by the Warrior’s Reward mare Strong Incentive, who has also produced Grade 1 winner Surge Capacity and Grade 3 scorer Highly Motivated.