Fully Subscribed was all in for the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), pulling away in the stretch with every stride and rolling to a 9-¾-length victory on Saturday at Saratoga.
The win earned the 4-year-old filly trained by Chad Brown a fees-paid spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 31, a race that also will feature top filly Nitrogen.
As the field turned for home, Fully Subscribed, the 9-10 favorite, turned on the afterburners as rival Scottish Lassie was left in the dust with the rest of the field. A month ago, Fully Subscribed edged Scottish Lassie by a half-length in the Shuvee Stakes (G2) at the Spa. Nerazurri was third.
Winning time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.23. Fully Subscribed ($3.86), trained by Chad Brown, improved to five wins in nine starts, with three seconds and a third for owner Klaravich Stables.
“It's so great to see her coming along,’’ owner Seth Klaravich said. “We, both Chad and I, had the idea if things would work out, she had the opportunity to be one of the top fillies and maybe win a Grade 1.”
As for taking on Nitrogen in the BC Distaff, Klaravich said: “She’s a monster.”
Brown was happy for the Grade 1 win.
“Very gratifying. She's always trained super, like a Grade 1 quality filly,’’ said Brown. “Came up a little bit short to start the season, but she's kept improving slowly and steadily, and she's a high-quality race mare.
The Personal Ensign was the second graded stakes on the Travers Day card, with the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) set for a 6:35 p.m. ET post time.
Earlier, Englishman won the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) by 3 ¾ lengths for trainer Cherie DeVaux, who also sends out Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo in the Travers.
Following Personal Ensign, Naomis, the 6-5 favorite, rallied from last to first to win the $400,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2).
Jenny Kellner is an award-winning journalist and teacher who has covered thoroughbred racing for years. As a reporter for both United Press International and The Associated Press, her work has appeared in publications and on websites around the world. Jenny has also written for The New York Times, the New York Post, Newsday and Sports Illustrated.
