Ways and Means sidelined after clipping heels in Spinaway
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Ways and Means came out of her runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes on Sept. 3 at Saratoga with an injury and will not race again this year, trainer Chad Brown said Wednesday.
Ways and Means appeared to clip heels with the ultimate winner Brightwork early down the backside in the Spinaway. Ways and Means was beaten a half-length by Brightwork while finishing 6 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Wonder Ride.
Brown said Ways and Means took a chip off her right ankle.
“She was lame right after the race, actually,” Brown said. “She took a very, very scary step at full speed. It’s very unfortunate. I knew when it happened that it was probably not going to be good.”
Ways and Means was sent off the 4-5 favorite in the Spinaway based off her 12 3/4-length debut victory at Saratoga on Aug. 6.
Brown said Ways and Means will rejoin his stable during the winter when he has the bulk of his horses at Payson Park in Florida.
The undefeated Brightwork, meanwhile, is at Keeneland and being pointing to the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Oct. 6, trainer John Ortiz Jr. said.