Sunset Wish steps up her game in Take Charge Brandi

Godolphin and trainer Michael Stidham have an up-and-coming 3-year-old filly on their hands in Sunset Wish. She won her third straight race Saturday night in the $75,000 Take Charge Brandi at Delta Downs, defeating multiple stakes winner Taylor’s Spirit by 2 3/4 lengths and earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 73.

Sunset Wish is unbeaten since she moved to two turns in her third career start Oct. 19. She won a maiden special weight at a mile at Penn National, then after a dirt race did not fill was a sharp winner of a turf allowance Dec. 2 at Fair Grounds. Sunset Wish was moved back to dirt for the two-turn 7 1/2-furlong Take Charge Brandi with the hope the race might give insight into whether she would be best-served on dirt or turf, said Stidham.

“We were kind of trying to find out what her preferred surface is and, right now, we still don’t know,” he said Tuesday. “She was impressive winning on the dirt. She obviously ran very professional on the dirt in the stakes. We’re pleased with our position. It seems like she’ll run on anything. She’s got the class – handled the distance and everything well.

“She came out of the race in great shape.”

Stidham said he intends to nominate Sunset Wish to the Martha Washington at Oaklawn and the Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds, both for 3-year-old fillies. The $125,000 Martha Washington, at a mile, will be run Feb. 2. The Grade 2, $200,000 Rachel Alexandra, at 1 1/16 miles, is Feb. 16.

Sunset Wish is a Godolphin homebred by Malibu Moon. Her dam, Burgandy Ice, is a half-sister to champion Bernardini, out of the Grade 1 winner Cara Rafaela.

Another homebred 3-year-old filly Godolphin has with Stidham is Classic Fit, who won the $75,000 Hut Hut on Dec. 8 at Gulfstream Park. She is by Bernardini and out of True Style, who is a half-sister to Scat Daddy, sire of Triple Crown winner Justify.

Stidham said Classic Fit also would be nominated to the Martha Washington and Rachel Alexandra.