Ways and Means was an absolute machine, signing off with a masterclass performance at Keeneland
The daughter of Practical Joke crushed Foie Gras by 6 1/4 lengths in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).Flavien Prat found clear sailing, allowing trainer Chad Brown to celebrate a deeply special victory ahead of her prospective sale as a broodmare prospect at Fasig-Tipton
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent for Turf Diario in Lexington, Kentucky)
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a special correspondent).— Ways and Means (Practical Joke) put on an extraordinary display of superiority to capture the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) over 1,400 meters on the dirt at Keeneland. The Klaravich Stables flagbearer dominated with astonishing ease, pulling away to win by 6 1/4 lengths over Foie Gras (Volatile), in a performance that may well have provided the perfect fairy-tale conclusion to her racing career.
Partnered by Flavien Prat, the Chad Brown trainee stopped the clock in 1:21.76, leaving Explora (Blame) a half-length further back in third, while Kilwin (Twirling Candy) completed the superfecta.
The post-time favorite, who returned $4.14 on a win ticket, did not enjoy an entirely smooth passage. Kerry's Kiss(Vino Rosso) and R Disaster (Awesome Slew) locked horns upfront, setting blistering fractions of 22.14 for the opening quarter-mile and 44.75 for the half, while Ways and Means bided her time in fifth, briefly caught in tight quarters along the rail.
Prat was forced to launch his bid earlier than intended, but once he found clear daylight entering the stretch, the response was devastating. The filly exploded, blew past her rivals, and established a lead that was completely insurmountable.
“She broke well and was in a perfect position, but I had to ask her a bit sooner than planned because we were pinned on the inside. She responded fantastically,” explained the French jockey.
For Brown, who celebrated his 20th Breeders' Cup victory, the triumph carried profound meaning given the setbacks Ways and Means had to overcome throughout her campaign.
“The work by the entire team was unbelievable. She had interruptions due to illness, including severe lung infections.The veterinarians and hoof specialist Ian McKinlay put in a massive effort to get her back,” he emphasized.
The conditioner was also thrilled to see her validate her elite class far from Saratoga, where she had notched several of her career-defining performances.
“I'm so happy for her. Today she faced some of the country's finest sprinters on a different track and silenced any lingering doubts about her versatility,” he stated.
Bred in Kentucky by her owners, the daughter of Practical Joke secured her eighth victory in 14 career starts,alongside three runner-up finishes and one third. Her impressive ledger features top-level triumphs in the Test Stakes (G1), the Ballerina Stakes (G1), and back-to-back editions of the Bed o' Roses Stakes (G2).
Her owner, Seth Klarman, was visibly moved: “She is an extraordinary mare. We were so fortunate that she was able to display her full capabilities. Prat is the absolute best at finding seams when none seem to exist.”
Ways and Means is cataloged for sale this Monday at Fasig-Tipton as a racing or broodmare prospect.
“She has accomplished everything she possibly could on the racetrack. It's tough to say goodbye, but she is five years old, and the time has come to begin her next chapter,” Klarman explained.
Foie Gras, ridden by Joel Rosario for trainer Mike Maker, closed from well off the pace to secure a lucrative runner-up effort.
“The winner looked like a monster today. My mare ran great and kept trying all the way,” acknowledged Rosario.
Bob Baffert, trainer of third-place finisher Explora, was equally candid: “We brought our best version today, but the winner is simply extraordinary.”
Ways and Means departed Keeneland with a masterpiece that captured the full measure of her class. If this was indeed her final curtain call, she could hardly have chosen a more spectacular way to bid farewell.
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