GRADE 3 DELTA

PRINCESS STAKES

DEMONSTRATING her victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies earlier this month was no fluke, Willis Horton’s Take Charge Brandi returned to claim the $400,000 Grade 3 Delta Downs Princess Stakes as the 2/1 favourite and top weight last Saturday at Delta Downs.

Wrapping up likely year-end honours as the top two-year-old filly of 2014, the daughter of Giant’s Causeway pressed a quick pace outside 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.

Putting away Vivian Da Bling in the final furlong, Take Charge Brandi repelled the late bid of Skipalute to win the one-mile test by one and a half lengths. Majestic Presence closed for third, while Danessa Deluxe was fourth in the field of 10.

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 Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos December 13th.

Horton paid $435,000 for the chesnut filly from the Irish-owned and operated Paramount Sales consignment at the 2013 Keeneland September sale. He also campaigned champion Will Take Charge, a multiple grade 1-winning son of Take Charge Lady.