Brandi Takes Charge in Starlet, Eclipse Awards Race
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Take Charge Brandi extended her winning streak to three on Saturday in the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos. (BENOIT photo)
Take Charge Brandi gamely fought off all challengers in the stretch of the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes on Saturday at Los Alamitos to cement both the victory and, almost certainly, the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old filly.
After Take Charge Brandi’s 61.70-to-1 upset win in the 14 Hands Winery Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, there were questions about whether that front-running win was a fluke, aided by a widely accepted speed bias early on Breeders’ Cup Saturday.
Take Charge Brandi silenced her doubters with a 1 ½-length win in the Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess Stakes on Nov. 22. On Saturday, she confirmed her status as the most accomplished 2-year-old filly in in the U.S. with the half-length Starlet victory for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and owner Willis Horton.
As she did in the Juvenile Fillies, Take Charge Brandi rushed right to the front in the 1 1/16-mile Starlet, setting the pace with a clear lead under Victor Espinoza through a comfortable half-mile in :47.68.
Runner-up Feathered, Maybellene and Majestic Presence all took their shots at Take Charge Brandi in the stretch, including a major challenge from Feathered, but Take Charge Brandi was up to the test. She held on to prevail in 1:42.18 for her fourth win in eight starts.
TAKE CHARGE BRANDI (center) HELD ON TO PREVAIL
BENOIT photo
The $210,000 winner’s share boosted Take Charge Brandi’s career bankroll to $1,620,126.
Horton purchased Take Charge Brandi for $435,000 at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. She was a Giant’s Causeway filly from a family with whom he was very familiar.
Take Charge Brandi’s dam, Charming, is a half-sister (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to 2013 champion 3-year-old male Will Take Charge, who was owned by Horton and trained by Lukas.
Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy also is a half-brother to Charming. Multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady is Take Charge Brandi’s grandam (maternal grandmother).
For an Equibase chart, click here.
HORTON LEADS TAKE CHARGE BRANDI TO THE WINNER'S CIRCLE
BENOIT photo