Hard to Stay Notgo became the 135th stakes winner by More Than Ready when she captured Sunday’s inaugural running of the $125,000 Franklin Square Stakes (1200m) at Aqueduct.

The New York bred filly took an uncontested lead on the way to a five length victory over impressive last-start winner Golden Gem (Wildcat Heir).  She had won on debut at Saratoga in August and followed up with black-type placings at the Spa and at Belmont in September.

“They told me to get out in front and keep going and that’s just what the horse did,” jockey Angel Arroyo said.  “She was perfect.”

Hard To Stay Notgo (3f More Than Ready – Whichwaydidshego by Storm Cat) is trained by Jimmy Jerkins for owner-breeders Chester & Mary Broman.  She is out of a half sister to Group winner Fed Biz from the family of prominent sires Tale of the Cat and Johannesburg.

“She’s naturally very fast; that’s all she wants to do,” assistant trainer Steve Moyer said.  “We liked her when she broke her maiden at Saratoga and when she trained really, really good coming into this race.  We’re thrilled with that performance.”

Vinery champion More Than Ready has a chestnut filly from Limerock Lass parading as Lot 204 at the Inglis Classic yearling sale next Monday.  The dam is a Rock Of Gibraltar half-sister to Group 1 winning stallion Foxwedge.

HARD TO STAY NOTGO