Take Charge Brandi Wins Oaklawn Battle in Season Debut

Take Charge Brandi rolls into the stretch of the Martha Washington Stakes in control but she needed to dig deep to hold on for the win on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. (Coady Photography)
Take Charge Brandi rushed right to the front in the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes and proved the class of the field in winning as the 2-to-5 favorite, but the 2014 champion 2-year-old filly had to work a little harder than expected on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in her season debut.
The chestnut filly by Giant’s Causeway was well clear passing the eighth pole in the stretch but Sarah Sis closed with a powerful rally to make it close. She drew almost even from the inside of champion Take Charge Brandi, who appeared to dig in gamely under Jon Court when she saw the challenger.
TIGHT FINISH

Coady Photography
Take Charge Brandi held on to win by a head, completing one mile in 1:39.66 to extend her winning streak to four for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and owner Willis Horton.
Her three-race winning streak to cap 2014 in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Grade 3 Delta Downs Princess Stakes and Grade 1 Starlet Stakes cemented her Eclipse Award in the 2-year-old filly division. The Martha Washington was the first step for Take Charge Brandi on the path to the Kentucky Oaks.
Horton purchased Take Charge Brandi for $435,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. She comes from a family with whom he is very familiar.
Take Charge Brandi’s dam, Charming, is a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to 2013 champion 3-year-old male Will Take Charge, who was owned by Horton and trained by Lukas. Multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady is Take Charge Brandi’s grandam (maternal grandmother).
For an Equibase chart, click here.
HORTON LEADS TAKE CHARGE BRANDI TO WINNER'S CIRCLE

Coady Photography