'Brandi' Makes Martha Washington Interesting

Champion Take Charge Brandi got her 3-year-old campaign off to a winning start with a surprisingly tight head victory in the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park, her fourth consecutive win .



Ridden for the first time by a chilly Jon Court, Take Charge Brandi was the 2-5 favorite in the field of six sophomore fillies. Well in command throughout after establishing the pace, she appeared to lose focus in the stretch and was drifting out late as Sarah Sis dove to the rail for the drive. Sarah Sis, under right-handed urging from Julio Felix made it close approaching the wire, but Take Charge Brandi held on.



The winning daughter of Giant's Causeway   was timed in 1:39.66 for the one-mile distance over a fast track. Sarah Sis was second, with Indian Annie eight lengths farther back in third.



D. Wayne Lukas trains Take Charge Brandi for owner Willis D. Horton. Charming Syndicate bred the chestnut filly in Kentucky out of the Seeking the Gold mare Charming, a daughter of Take Charge Lady. Horton purchased Take Charge Brandi at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale from the Paramount Sales consignment for $435,000.



Take Charge Brandi was making her first start since taking the 14 Hands Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), Delta Downs Princess (gr. III), and Starlet Stakes (gr. I) in succession late last year to wrap up the Eclipse Award in the juvenile fillies division.

"This was a comeback race and we're obviously glad to have it under our belts," Lukas said. "She was a little erratic through the stretch, but it was her first time here. It gives us something to build on. The big thing is getting this under her belt and moving on to the next one."



Lukas has nominated Take Charge Brandi for the 2015 Triple Crown, although he has said the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) is the goal this spring. Still, owner Horton left open the possibility of her running against males in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I).

"Well, you may get to see (her) in the Arkansas Derby, but let's take it one race at a time," said Horton of Marshall, Ark. "Our big goal is the Kentucky Oaks. If things work out, we may run in the Arkansas Derby and possibly the Kentucky Derby with her because Wayne is good with fillies and he's won the Derby with fillies before."

Breaking smoothly one slot from the outside, Take Charge Brandi took the lead over Sweet Corinna, with Indian Annie and Perfect Fit in a good stalking position. Sarah Sis, breaking from inside of the favorite, hopped at the start and raced near the rear of the compact field while stuck four wide on the first turn.



Take Charge Brandi maintained the advantage while unfurling comfortable fractions of :23.71, :48.10, and 1:13.44 as they reached the quarter pole. At that point, Indian Annie and Sarah Sis had moved up to challenge on the leader's outside as the others fell back.

But Take Charge Brandi shook loose at the top of the stretch and seemed to have the race well under control with a 1 1/2-length edge at the furlong mark before getting a challenge nearing the finish. Court, however, never went to the whip while getting home just in time.

"I had reviewed tape of previous races, but there really weren't any specific instructions from Wayne," Court said. "It was just an overall informational overview of what to do and what to expect. Basically, I was told just be a passenger and she'd do the rest."

Court said he was aware of the challenge coming on his inside.

"I did see (Sarah Sis), and I did hear her when she was making the approach. But Take Charge Brandi actually engaged again, just enough to hold on by a head."



The victory was the fifth from nine lifetime starts for Take Charge Brandi. The chestnut filly boosted her career earnings to $1,680,126.



Carrying top weight of 122 pounds, five more than the runner-up, Take Charge Brandi paid $2.80, $2.40, and $2.10. Sarah Sis returned $4.20 and $2.60 while completing an $11.20 exacta. Second choice Indian Annie, ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., paid $2.20 to show.



Sweet Corinna finished fourth, followed by High Dollar Woman and Perfect Fit. Cape Town Stevie were scratched.