Take Charge Brandi Takes Down Delta Princess
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Proving her Nov. 1 victory in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) was no fluke, Willis Horton's Take Charge Brandi returned Nov. 22 to claim the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes (gr. III) as the 2-1 favorite at Delta Downs .
Wrapping up likely year-end honors as the top 2-year-old filly of 2014, the daughter of Giant's Causeway pressed a quick pace outside Vivian Da Bling as that one went a quarter in :22.34 and a half in :46.44.
Initially about a length behind Vivian Da Bling, Take Charge Brandi steadily closed ground under jockey Paco Lopez and was on even terms with the pacesetter heading into the final turn after three-quarters went in 1:12.39.
Take Charge Brandi put away Vivian Da Bling and held sway through seven-eighths in 1:25.97, repelling the late bid of Skipalute to win by 1 1/2 lengths. She completed the one-mile distance in a final time of 1:39.60 over a fast track. Majestic Presence closed for third, while Danessa Deluxe was fourth in the field of 10.
Following were, in order, Temper Mint Patty, Vivian Da Bling, Lil Super Bear, Miss Mandate, Sharla Rae, and Spooled.
Carrying top weight of 122 pounds, Take Charge Brandi returned $6.40, $4.20, and $3.40. Skipalute brought $7.20 and $5.40, and Majestic Presence paid $4.80.
Trained by Hall of Fame horseman D. Wayne Lukas, Take Charge Brandi earned her third victory from seven starts while picking up her second stakes score in a row. She has banked $1,410,126.
"She showed her class today because I didn't think she handled the racetrack very well," said Lukas afterward. He indicated that he may start Take Charge Brandi in the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos Dec. 13.
Take Charge Brandi was bred in Kentucky by Charming Syndicate out of the Seeking the Gold mare Charming, who is a daughter of Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady.
Horton paid $435,000 for the chestnut filly from the Paramount Sales consignment at the 2013 Keeneland September sale. He also campaigned champion Will Take Charge , a multiple grade I-winning son of Take Charge Lady.