Demonstrating her latent talent with an impressive late surge, Fully Subscribed established herself as a prospective standout for the upcoming season by securing a decisive 4 1/2-length triumph over Drexel Hill, the runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks, in the $300,000 Grade 2 Mother Goose Stakes. This competition, held at Aqueduct Racetrack on November 8, was exclusively for 3-year-old fillies and spanned a distance of 1 1/8 miles.
“She’s progressing favorably. We’ve consistently held her in high regard. Despite navigating a demanding, wide path today, she still finished strongly. I’m thoroughly impressed,” commented trainer Chad Brown. “Her recent performances have been consistently strong, and now she boasts a Grade 2 victory. She’ll be a key component of our strategy for 2026.”
In only her fourth career appearance, Fully Subscribed’s victory followed a notable second-place finish in a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming event on September 28. Her triumph at the same distance in her stakes debut validated Brown’s confidence in her stamina.
“I’ve been eager to see her compete over a mile and an eighth. She finished second to a formidable filly in her initial attempt and achieved a commendable speed figure. I anticipated she could at least replicate or surpass that performance here,” Brown explained.
The five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer mentioned that the filly, owned by Klaravich Stables and bred by Payson Stud in Kentucky, will be sent to Florida for a period of rest following Saturday’s victory.
Queen Azteca dictated the early pace in the Mother Goose, setting a brisk opening quarter mile of :24.00, with Godolphin’s Lemon Zest trailing closely in second. Meanwhile, jockey Dylan Davis strategically positioned Fully Subscribed in seventh within the nine-horse field. The tempo remained steady until the final turn when Fully Subscribed and Drexel Hill, who had been trailing early in her first race since May 2, advanced together on the outside to contend for the lead.
In the homestretch, Fully Subscribed exhibited undeniable dominance. She surged to a 2 1/2-length advantage at the eighth pole and continued to extend her lead, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.73 as the 7-2 favorite ($9.00 to win).
“I felt confident on the final turn,” Brown remarked. “I believed we were in a superior position. After seizing the lead, she accelerated further and finished impressively.”
Drexel Hill, under the guidance of trainer Whit Beckman, delivered a commendable performance in second place, marking her first race since securing second place at 32-1 odds in the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks.
“It was a remarkable comeback effort,” Beckman stated. “I believe her fitness level and the hiatus affected her around the quarter pole, causing her to drift wide. She finished strongly, and we’re pleased with the second-place result.”
Lemon Zest, trained by Brad Cox, maintained her position to finish third, a neck behind Drexel Hill.
