Sarah Sis Without 'Brandi' for Honeybee Run

Diving up the rail in the Martha Washington Stakes on Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park, Sarah Sis almost made history. 

The 3-year-old Sharp Humor filly was closing into the pace set by 2-year-old champion Take Charge Brandi, who was geared down after galloping for home. A bob of the head could have changed the outcome, but Sarah Sis just missed in the mile dirt event.

The would-be spoiler will get a chance at victory sans 'Brandi' March 7, as her more accomplished rival will start against boys March 14 in the $750,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II). Sarah Sis is among a group of nine sophomore fillies for the $150,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III), but will need to turn back the challenge of several talented newcomers along with fellow Martha Washington graduate Indian Annie.

BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Take Charge Brandi Not Entered in Honeybee

Prior to the Martha Washington, Sarah Sis was runner-up to fellow Honeybee contender Promise Me Silver in the Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Jan. 15 and was runner-up in the Arlington-Washington Lassie at Arlington International Racecourse, with an allowance victory at Keeneland between the two. She broke her maiden at first asking for owner Joe Ragsdale and trainer Ingrid Mason. Julio Felix gets the return call from post 8 and Sarah Sis will carry 117 pounds.

Highweight in the group at 119 is Shortleaf Stable's lightly raced Pangburn, who won her debut going a mile on the Ellis Park lawn last July and came back in September to run second in the 1 1/16-mile Pocahontas on the dirt at Churchill Downs. Trainer Ken McPeek brought the Congrats   filly back Feb. 20 for an allowance victory at the same distance on the main track at Oaklawn. She will have regular rider Jesus Castanon in the irons from the 5 hole.

Bret Calhoun brings in Myrna and Robert Luttrell's snappy Texas-bred Promise Me Silver, winner of the Dixie Belle and undefeated in six starts. The daughter of Silver City   went to Sam Houston Feb. 14 and won the seven-furlong Two Altazano Stakes by 9 3/4 lengths. She has victories at that Texas oval and at Oaklawn, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Churchill Downs, Retama Park, and Lone Star. In her second start, she won the $100,000 Debutante Stakes at Churchill last June. Clifton Berry gets the mount from the outside.

Also of interest are Indian Annie, third in the Martha Washington; Oceanwave, winner of her last two; and Super Saks, who will start in the Honeybee for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas instead of Take Charge Brandi.

Maiden winners Desert Valley, Bootsy's Girl, and Purr complete the lineup.