Take Charge Brandi works for Honeybee Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Champion Take Charge Brandi had a significant work Saturday morning at Oaklawn Park, as she continues preparations for the track's Grade 3, $150,000 Honeybee on March 7. Take Charge Brandi worked in a three-horse set shortly after Oaklawn opened for training and covered five furlongs on a track rated “good” in 1:00.40.

Take Charge Brandi broke off about eight lengths behind her company, with Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton catching her in fractions of 11.80 seconds for the opening eighth of a mile, 23.80 for the first quarter, and 36.40 for three furlongs. Hamilton had her final quarter in 24 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:15.40.

Take Charge Brandi settled off her company, moved up some midway on the turn, and dug in through the stretch to close the deficit to about three lengths approaching the wire. The lead horse in the set covered five furlongs in 1:01.60, according to clockers at Oaklawn.

"I wanted a good, stiff work, and we got it," said trainer D. Wayne Lukas. "It was a significant work."

Take Charge Brandi beat a strong hit of rain that fell following her work Saturday. She will be seeking her fifth consecutive stakes win in the Honeybee. Take Charge Brandi won the $100,000 Martha Washington at Oaklawn in her most recent start Jan. 31. Her current streak started last year with wins in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, the Grade 3 Delta Downs Princess in Louisiana, and the Grade 1 Starlet at Los Alamitos.

Take Charge Brandi was voted champion 2-year-old filly of 2014. She races for Willis Horton.