European Take Charge Star Seeks Franklin-Simpson Glory

Take Charge Star  will make the trip to the United States to try the European-style turf course Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs in the $1.5 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2T). Twelve 3-year-olds are expected to line up for the 6 1/2-furlong race. 

Take Charge Star, a Maribeth Sandford-owned son of Starspangledbanner , was last seen finishing a game fourth Aug. 9 in the 6 1/2-furlong Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), beaten just 1 length. Prior to the Maurice de Gheest, he finished second in the 7-furlong Jersey Stakes (G3). He broke his maiden at 7 furlongs, and the shorter distance Sunday should suit the John Murtagh trainee. 

"When we dropped him back even further for the group 1 over 6 1/2 (furlongs), he was barely beaten," Murtagh said. "He's traveled a long way, but if he produces his Ascot run or his run last time, I think he'll be capable of matching up with the horses out there.

"I thought going to Ascot he really had a shot. I think 7 furlongs at Ascot suited him really well, but he's just seeming to be getting quicker all the time."

Legion Bloodstock purchased the colt on behalf of Sandford Racing for €300,000 out of Book 1 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2024.

"This is the first horse the owners have had with me," Murtagh said. "I've run at Kentucky Downs before, and so we were keen to give him a shot. He seems to have traveled well."

Murtagh's prior Kentucky Downs starter was Siege of Troy , who finished third in the 2024 Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes over 1 5/16 miles. Murtagh also selected a rider with course experience in Jamie Spencer, who won the 2023 Mint Millions Stakes (G3T) aboard Ancient Rome  and finished second in the Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) in 2024 aboard Khaadem  in his most recent visit to the track.

Millionaire and graded stakes winner Obliteration  will be waiting to test the European invader. The Steve Asmussen trainee has put in two solid third-place finishes on the main track in graded stakes races at Saratoga Race Course, including a third to Englishman  in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1). He returns to the turf for the first time since his 2-year-old career. He was second in last year's Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint Stakes. 

Mark Casse enters two geldings with a chance in Alpyland  and Blinging It Back . D. J. Stable's Alpyland was recently a close third in the Secretariat Stakes (G2T) after a less-than-ideal trip. 

Gary Barber and Peter Deutsch's Blinging It Back was last seen finishing second in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T). The son of Volatile   has had success over the unique turf course at Kentucky Downs, breaking his maiden there last summer. 

Trainer Brendan Walsh enters three stakes winners—Immortalised , Learntodiscover , and Vasy .