Another Broad splits horses en route to Top Flight score

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The feeling after Another Broad finished fourth in the one-turn mile Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park in her first start for new connections was that she wanted to run farther.

That theory was proven accurate Saturday at Aqueduct as Another Broad, in her first start at 1 1/8 miles, split horses in deep stretch under Manny Franco and outfinished Forever Liesl to win the $200,000 Top Flight Invitational Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths. It was three-quarters of a length back to 2-1 favorite My Miss Lilly in third. Frostie Anne, who set the pace, faded to fourth, followed by Midnight Disguise and Jump Ruler.

Another Broad was making her second start for Sol Kumin’s Madaket Stables, Elayne Stables, and Brian Martin. Those entities purchased the Maryland-bred daughter of Include from her previous owner, Fitzhugh LLC, and turned her over to Todd Pletcher.

In the Grade 3 Royal Delta in February, Another Broad finished an even fourth, beaten 5 1/4 lengths by Blamed.

On Saturday, Another Broad settled in the back of the pack while Frostie Anne, under Hector Diaz Jr., sped off to a five-length lead through a half-mile in 47.91 seconds over a muddy, harrowed track.

Franco remained patient, opting to follow Joe Bravo on My Miss Lilly, who he felt was the one to beat. My Miss Lilly made an inside move entering the far turn and Another Broad did indeed follow My Miss Lilly to the top of the lane.

In the stretch, Frostie Anne remained on the lead, while My Miss Lilly tipped three wide with Forever Liesl four wide. Franco found room between Frostie Anne and My Miss Lilly, Another Broad went through and edged away for the win.

“She took a little bit to get going but as soon as she got to the hole she went through and ran away from them,” Franco said.

Another Broad covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.99 and returned $11.40 as the third choice in a field of six.

“Todd said he thought the mile and an eighth was exactly what she wanted. Sure enough, first time going a mile and an eighth she showed that’s what she wants to do,” said Byron Hughes, assistant to Pletcher. “Manny rode her patiently, was able to split horses and kind of grind it out and was able to get up in time.”