Take Charge Star Conquers U.S. Turf in Franklin-Simpson

Maribeth Sandford's Take Charge Star  dominated in his U.S. debut, proving his affinity for shorter distances with a victory in the $1.5 million Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G2T) Sept. 7 at Kentucky Downs.

Winless since breaking his maiden a year ago, the 3-year-old son of Starspangledbanner  was slow out of the gate and trailed his rivals through the opening quarter mile, with Honey Dutch  taking the field through opening fractions of :22.05 and :44.23. 

"He broke just okay," said jockey Jamie Spencer. "He wasn't really traveling early, but once I got to the bottom of the hill, I was a long way back, but I was going to have to chance it going inside. It worked out well. I can't complain."

Coming into the stretch, a group of challengers took advantage of Honey Dutch starting to give way. Take Charge Star rallied up on the inside to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Longshot Two Out Hero , trained by Kevin Attard, held on to finish second, a head over third-place finisher and second-choice Alpyland . 

"The trip suited him well," said trainer John Murtagh. "I was a little worried early on because he was so far back, but when he gets into gear, this horse has a good turn of foot. Would he stay a mile in America? He just might.

"That's Jamie (Spencer) at his best. You can see by the way he finished, he's a horse with a really good turn of foot."

Take Charge Star finished the 6 1/2-furlong race in a final time of 1:15.45. He paid $6.60 to win. 

The win in the Franklin-Simpson was Murtagh's first victory at Kentucky Downs. 

"I came here yesterday morning, and I like the feel of the place," he said. "I think it's a good track for European grass horses; it's got (hills) and we're used to that. They have looked after us really well. Since we've come here, everyone has been really nice and looked after us great. I couldn't speak more highly of the place."

Murtagh hinted that the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Keeneland could be on the table for Take Charge Star. 

"The owners are from that area, so they'd be keen on that. I think he's a horse that's capable of running a big race in the Breeders' Cup Mile," Murtagh said.

Take Charge Star was bred in Ireland by the Niarchos Family and purchased as a yearling by Legion Bloodstock on behalf of Sandford Racing for $324,733 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2024.

Video: Mint Franklin-Simpson S. (G2T)

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