by Bill Finley and J.N. Campbell
Ways and Means (Practical Joke) romped in her debut Sunday at Saratoga, running away to a 12 3/4-length win in the day's second race, a $136,5000 maiden special weight race run for fillies at six furlongs. Her game effort earned her 'TDN Rising Star' credentials.
“She blew us away,” winning owner Seth Klarman said.
With the bettors making the juvenile filly the 7-10 favorite, the word was out, but few could have expected just how dominant she would be. Patiently ridden by Flavien Prat, she was fifth down the backstretch before launching her run midway on the turn. She had secured the lead by the top of the stretch and from there widened her advantage without being urged by her jockey.
“We were hoping she would get a little bit of experience,” Klarman said. “He waited patiently and couldn't hold her anymore. She came five wide and cruised to the lead.”
Klarman is known for building his massive stable at the sales, both in the U.S. and in Europe. But Ways and Means is a homebred. In a partnership with William H. Lawrence, he owned sire Practical Joke (Into Mischief), who is celebrating his third 'TDN Rising Star'. The same partnership owned the dam, Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward), who was bred to Good Magic for next year.
Klarman also campaigned Ways and Means's half-brother Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), GSW and GISP, $667,375 and he owns the winner's half-sister as well, Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), who won the GIII Lake George S. run at this meet on July 21.
“It really is an amazing feeling.” Klarman said when asked about winning with an impressive homebred. “We've had a few good ones that we've bred but she looks very special. Practical Joke is coming into his own and is proving to a lot of people how talented he is as a sire. He has had good horses on the dirt and sometimes on the turf. So we're very fortunate with him. We're in a great position.”
Klarman acknowledged that the GI Spinaway S. on Sept. 3 looks like the next step for his homebred to make her second start.
“Obviously the Spinaway is very tempting and I don't know where else she would go, but that's Chad Brown's call to make,” he said.
2nd-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 8-6, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.51, ft, 12 3/4 lengths.
WAYS AND MEANS, f, 2, Practical Joke
1st Dam: Strong Incentive {SW, $123,568} by Warrior's Reward)
2nd Dam: G G's Dolly by Comic Strip
3rd Dam: Parfait by King Mambo
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Klaravich Stables (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.
#5 Ways and Means dominates in R2 at Saratoga for trainer Chad Brown with Flavien Prat! 🏇
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/oUqOWUeN7F
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 6, 2023
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