Oaklawn notes: Take Charge Brandi stabled at Churchill

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Last year’s 2-year-old filly champion Take Charge Brandi is now stabled at Churchill Downs, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Monday. She had been rehabbing at Oaklawn after sustaining a non-displaced bone chip in her right knee. Lukas said Take Charge Brandi remains on schedule to resume training on May 15.

◗ Oaklawn leading rider Ricardo Santana Jr. was scheduled to ride at Will Rogers Downs on Monday, but took off his mounts after spiking a fever on Sunday night, said his agent, Ruben Munoz. Munoz looks for Santana to resume riding Wednesday at Oaklawn.

◗ Oaklawn has named a Wednesday race in honor of Don Grisham, the longtime columnist for Daily Racing Form who upon his retirement worked for the publicity department at the Hot Springs, Ark., track. Grisham died last year due to complications from a stroke. He was a beloved figure at Oaklawn, and the race is named the “Hi Ya, Hi Ya,” after his jovial greeting to folks he came into contact with at the track.

◗ Henry Jones, winner of an Oaklawn optional claimer on April 1, is being pointed for the Lexington at Keeneland, said Lukas. Henry Jones earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 82 for his win April 1, in which he covered six furlongs in 1:10.07. Paco Lopez has the mount in the Lexington, Lukas said Monday.

◗ Flights were scheduled to bring festival horses to Oaklawn on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to racing secretary Pat Pope.