Sunset Wish pulls away to win Take Charge Brandi Stakes

Sunset Wish became a stakes winner Friday night at Delta Downs, where she drove to a 2 3/4-length win over favorite Taylor’s Spirit in the $75,000 Take Charge Brandi. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Cover Charge.

The Take Charge Brandi was a 7 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies. It shared a card with the $75,000 Orleans won by Oxford Comma ($2.60).

Sunset Wish ($9.60) sat off the pace in the two-turn Take Charge Brandi, as multiple stakes winner Taylor’s Spirit dueled through an opening quarter in 23.06 seconds. Taylor’s Spirit continued to take the field through a half-mile in 48.21 and six furlongs in 1:14.40 before being overtaken by Sunset Wish, who covered the distance on a fast track in 1:34.65.

Tim Thornton, who was the second leading rider in wins in North America in 2018, was aboard for trainer Michael Stidham.

Sunset Wish was winning her third straight race, following a maiden special weight at a mile at Penn National and a turf allowance at about at a mile at Fair Grounds. She is a daughter of Malibu Moon and from the female family of champion Bernardini.

Sunset Wish races for her breeder, Godolphin Stable.

The Orleans was a five-furlong race for fillies and mares, and odds-on favorite Oxford Comma fought for a neck win over 9-1 shot Fairwayngreen. It was another two lengths back in third to Shes Our Fastest.

Oxford Comma, who was winning her fourth straight race, was always prominent under jockey Gerard Melancon. She covered the distance on a fast track in 59.03 seconds. Tom Amoss trains the winner for Sandra New. Oxford Comma is by Majesticperfection.