Ocho Ocho Ocho, Take Charge Brandi Strike at Delta Downs
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Ocho Ocho Ocho (inside) turned back Mr. Z in the stretch of the $1-million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes on Saturday. (Photo by Coady Photography)
Ocho Ocho Ocho outfinished game runner-up Mr. Z by a nose in a thrilling stretch duel to take the $600,000 winner’s share of the $1-million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes on Saturday at Delta Downs.
The dark bay or brown colt by Street Sense improved to three wins in as many starts, but for the first time in his brief career Ocho Ocho Ocho got plenty of competition in the final sixteenth of a mile in the Grade 3 Delta Jackpot.
Grade 1-placed Mr. Z battled gamely on the outside under Paco Lopez while Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith encouraged Ocho Ocho Ocho to hold on for just a few more strides.
Ocho Ocho Ocho would not be denied and, after an objection from the rider of third-place finisher Far Right was disallowed, remained unbeaten. He completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.47 and boosted his bankroll to $693,600.
OCHO OCHO OCHO
Photo by Coady Photography
Trained by James Cassidy for owner DP Racing, Ocho Ocho Ocho entered the Delta Jackpot off a 5 ¾-length romp in the off-the-turf Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships undercard at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 1.
DP Racing purchased Ocho Ocho Ocho for $200,000 at the OBS spring sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Mr. Z, runner-up in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity in October at Keeneland, finished four lengths clear of third-place finisher Far Right, who was closing powerfully on the turn when his path along the rail closed inside of Ocho Ocho Ocho.
Ocho Ocho Ocho earned 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby scoring system with the victory.
Brandi in Charge in Delta Princess
Photo by Coady Photography
Take Charge Brandi bolstered her chances for the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly with a dominant performance on Saturday at Delta Downs in the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes.
Pairing the Grade 3 Delta Princess win with her front-running victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 1, Take Charge Brandi has amassed $1,410,126 with three wins in seven starts in 2014 for owner Willis Horton.
Unbeaten Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Lady Eli certainly should get plenty of Eclipse Award consideration, but Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Take Charge Brandi could race again this season. Lukas said Take Charge Brandi will be considered for the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 20.
After leading from start to finish in the Juvenile Fillies, Take Charge Brandi settled in just behind pacesetter Vivian Da Bling in the one-mile Delta Princess. Vivian Da Bling led the field through a swift opening quarter-mile and a half-mile in :46.44, while Take Charge Brandi waited for her cue from jockey Paco Lopez.
Take Charge Brandi seized command approaching the stretch and shook free as the 2.20-to-1 favorite to win by 1 ½ lengths in 1:39.60.
A chestnut Giant’s Causeway filly, Take Charge Brandi is out of the winning Seeking the Gold mare Charming, a daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady. Charming is a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to Horton’s 2013 champion 3-year-old male champion Will Take Charge and to Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy.
For Equibase charts, click here.