Take Charge Brandi Pointed Towards the Rebel

Take Charge Brandi wasn’t entered Wednesday morning for Saturday’s $150,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn, paving the way for the champion 2-year-old filly to meet males in the $750,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) March 14.

 

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas had said last week that Take Charge Brandi would be entered in the Honeybee, a 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. But, it became apparent Monday morning that Take Charge Brandi wouldn’t be entered in the Honeybee and instead point for the 1 1/16-mile Rebel, a major Kentucky Derby prep.

 

About four hours after Take Charge Brandi worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 Monday morning, Horton said it had been “pretty much” decided that the filly would run in the Rebel and Lukas was shopping for a rider. Horton’s preference throughout the process was to run in the Rebel. Jon Court rode the filly in the Martha Washington.

 

“I really want to find out how good she is,” Horton said. “If she can beat the boys, I think her better chance of doing that is early than later in the year, because the boys will start really gaining. I’m just wanting to take a chance on beating the boys. I’m just trying to build her resume up.”

 

Lukas called Monday’s work, the third for Take Charge Brandi since winning the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 31, a “maintenance” move.

 

Lukas has maintained since December that Take Charge Brandi is being pointed for the Kentucky Oaks, not the Kentucky Derby. Take Charge Brandi, who has never faced males, has won 5 of 9 career starts and earned $1,680,126. She has won four consecutive races.

 

The presence of Take Charge Brandi further enhances a blockbuster March 14 program. Also scheduled to run in the Rebel is 2-year-old champion male American Pharoah.

 

The $300,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) for older fillies and mares is expected to attract 2014 champion 3-year-old filly Untapable. Multiple stakes winner Tapiture is also expected to make his 4-year-old debut in the $250,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses. Tapiture hasn’t started since finishing second in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) Oct. 31 at Santa Anita.

 

Champion Lookin At Lucky won his 3-year-old debut in the 2010 Rebel Stakes. Now, a son from his first crop, will try to win the same race in 2015.

 

The plan is for Madefromlucky to make his stakes debut in the $750,000 G2 race March 14, a representative of the colt’s co-owner, Cheyenne Stables (Everett Dobson), said Wednesday morning.

 

Madefromlucky, based in south Florida with trainer Todd Pletcher, has won his last two starts, including an entry-level allowance/optional claiming score at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 4 at Gulfstream Park.

 

Madefromlucky worked five furlongs in :59.14 – second-fastest of eight recorded at the distance – Monday at Palm Beach Downs.

 

Hall of Famer John Velazquez is scheduled to ride Madefromlucky, a winner of 2 of 5 career starts, in the Rebel.