More Than Ready filly zips to first stakes win

Hard to Stay Notgo went right to the front and never looked back in Sunday’s $125,000 Franklin Square S. at Aqueduct for her first stakes win in just her fourth lifetime start.

The 3-year-old More Than Ready filly is the second stakes winner of the year for her sire, who stands this year at WinStar Farm for $5,000 stands and nurses.

Popping out of the gate full of run, Hard to Stay Notgo was up two lengths after a quarter mile, and increased her lead throughout the six furlongs, winning by 5 ½-lengths. 

“I had talked to the assistant trainer before, and he just told me to get out in front and keep going and that’s just what the horse did,” said jockey Angel Arroyo. “She was perfect.”
 
Hard to Stay Notgo completed the six furlongs over a fast inner track in 1:12.30.
 
The Franklin Square marked the first career stakes victory for Hard to Stay Notgo; she placed in both the Joseph Gimma S. and Seeking the Ante S. last fall. Her overall mark stands at 2-1-1 and earnings of $173,800 for owners/breeders Chester and Mary Broman.
  
“We liked her when she broke her maiden at Saratoga, and we loved her when she ran back in the (Seeking the Ante),” said Jimmy Jerkens assistant Steve Moyer. “She trained really, really good coming into this race. She couldn’t have been any better in the receiving barn and the paddock today. We’re thrilled with her performance.”

Hard to Stay Notgo is the second stakes winner out of Whichwaydidshego, who is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and WinStar stallion Fed Biz.