Take Charge Brandi Could Start Jan. 31
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Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas had planned to take his time with Take Charge Brandi, but the finalist for champion 2-year-old filly of 2014 has other ideas.
Lukas said Take Charge Brandi is now being pointed for the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park, her first step toward an expected appearance in the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 1 at Churchill Downs.
Lukas said in December that Take Charge Brandi would make her 3-year-old debut in the $150,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) March 7 at Oaklawn, but he has decided to accelerate her racing schedule because of her body language.
"I think the mile is a logical choice," Lukas said, referring to the Martha Washington distance. "She's so sharp I can't hardly do anything with her. She's just tearing the barn down, so I might as well run her."
Take Charge Brandi tuned up for the Martha Washington by working a half-mile in :51 on a surface rated good the morning of Jan. 12 at Oaklawn.
Owned by Willis Horton of Marshall, Ark., Take Charge Brandi closed out her 2-year-old season with victories in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, the Delta Princess Stakes (gr. III) at Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino, and the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos Race Course.
After the Martha Washington and Honeybee, Oaklawn's two-turn stakes series for 3-year-old fillies concludes with the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. III) April 4.