Chad Brown's Fillies Dominate Travers Day: Three Grade 1 Wins Signal Strong Breeders' Cup Prospects

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Trainer Chad Brown's barn celebrated a historic Travers Day on Saturday, with three fillies capturing graded stakes victories, including two Grade 1 wins that secured automatic berths to the Breeders' Cup in October at Keeneland. The performances underscore the depth of Brown's female division and set up what could be a championship-clinching autumn campaign.

Ways and Means, Fully Subscribed, and Naomis all delivered wins under jockey Flavien Prat, who piloted five winners on the 14-race card. The trio's success highlights a barn that has become the standard-bearer for elite filly and mare racing in North America.

Ways and Means Romps in Ballerina, Earns Breeders' Cup Sprint Berth

Ways and Means, owned by Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables, extended her remarkable Saratoga record to six wins in seven starts 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 a 'Win and You're In' spot in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

The 4-year-old Kentucky homebred, by Practical Joke out of the Warrior's Reward mare Strong Incentive, is expected to be offered at public auction after her Breeders' Cup appearance. Brown, who has won the Filly and Mare Sprint three times, believes she belongs in elite 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. She's got to come with one more big one in the Breeders' Cup. It's a race we've won three times, and we've had success at Keeneland.'

Brown's previous Filly and Mare Sprint winners include Wavell Avenue in 2015 and Goodnight Olive in 2022 and 2023, the latter using the Ballerina as a springboard in both championship seasons.

Fully Subscribed Breaks Through in Personal Ensign

Fully Subscribed delivered a career-best performance in the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, scoring by 9 3/4 lengths over nine furlongs with a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. The 4-year-old Tiz the Law chestnut earned her first top-flight win after runner-up finishes in two Grade 1s earlier this year.

Brown noted the filly's progression after a half-length win over dual Grade 1 winner Scottish Lassie in the Grade 2 Shuvee on July 24.

'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.'

The victory secured a 'Win and You're In' berth to the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Brown indicated Fully Subscribed will use either the Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame on Sept. 25 at Belmont Park or the Grade 1, $650,000 Spinster on Oct. 3 at Keeneland as her final prep.

Naomis Impresses in Stateside Debut

Naomis, owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Thirty Year Racing, and Michael J. Caruso, closed from last of eight to win the Grade 2, $400,000 Lake Placid by a half-length in her first North American start. The 3-year-old City Light bay earned an 88 Beyer in the one-mile turf test.

The filly, who captured the Grade 2 Prix de Sandringham on May 31 at Chantilly in her final French start, was initially pointed to the Grade 3 Lake George on Aug. 1 but spiked a temperature. Brown plans to stretch her out to nine furlongs for the Grade 1, $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on Oct. 10 at Keeneland.

'That was a good spot to start her on form as she had been running a mile over there, but I think there's more run there,' Brown said.

Travers Day Setbacks and Future Plans

Brown also saddled Emerging Market and Sea Strike in the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively, behind winner Leading Change. Emerging Market, winner of the Louisiana Derby in March, will be given a break after a wide trip.

'No excuse for him. He looks like a horse that might need to be backed up on, given a break and just re-group,' Brown said.

Sea Strike, who entered off an 8 1/4-length win in the Curlin with a 102 Beyer, was in good order Sunday morning with no definite plans set.

Spirit of St Louis Surpasses $2 Million in Earnings

In Friday's state-bred $200,000 West Point, dual Grade 1 winner Spirit of St Louis rallied to a half-length victory, pushing his career earnings past $2 million. The 7-year-old Medaglia d'Oro gelding, who won the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational and the Turf Classic last year, now sports a 24-12-5-1 record with $2,035,000 banked.

Brown indicated the gelding will likely have a couple more starts, including a possible third appearance in the $200,000 Mohawk on Oct. 24 at Belmont Park, before transitioning to a second career.

'He's such a cool horse, he deserves it, and I think he'll be happy doing that,' Brown said.

Always a Runner Tunes Up for Cotillion

Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner worked a half-mile in 48.75 seconds Saturday at Saratoga, preparing for the Grade 1 Cotillion on Sept. 19 at Parx Racing. Brown expressed confidence in the Gun Runner filly's condition.

'She's working like she was in May again. It's remarkable that she's been able to hold form,' Brown said.

The filly has made five starts this year, winning the Grade 3 Gazelle in April before her Oaks coup, followed by two Grade 1 seconds to Counting Stars.

What's Next for Brown's Breeders' Cup Contenders?

With the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, Brown's fillies are positioned for a strong championship push. Ways and Means will target the Filly and Mare Sprint, Fully Subscribed the Distaff, and Naomis the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. The trainer's depth in the female divisions could yield multiple titles this autumn.

This story was originally published by Paulick Report on Aug. 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section.