Take Charge Brandi likely to make bow in Debutante

Of the 23 two-year-old fillies nominated for Saturday's 114th

running of the $100,000 Debutante at Churchill Downs, perhaps one of the

most intriguing is Take Charge Brandi. The unraced Giant's Causeway filly is out

of the Seeking the Gold mare Charming, who is a daughter of multiple Grade 1

queen Take Charge Lady and a half-sister to three-year-old champion Will Take

Charge and multiple graded stakes winner Take Charge Indy.

Take Charge Brandi is owned and trained by the same

connections of Will Take Charge, Willis D. Horton and Hall of Fame trainer D.

Wayne Lukas, who have some high expectations for the filly.

"She's doing great," Lukas said. "We're not quite sure if she's ready for

that step forward, but we're very high on her."

Horton purchased Take Charge Brandi for $435,000 at the

2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, less than two weeks after Will Take

Charge collected his first Grade 1 victory in the Travers.

"It's pretty special to have one out of the same family and

she's been training really well," Lukas said. "But like they always say, don't

tell me, show me."

Take Charge Brandi breezed a half mile in :48 Sunday

morning. Before that, she breezed three furlongs from the gate in :35 3/5, which

was the fastest of 20 works at the distance on June 7.

Likely Debutante starters include Ingrid Mason and Irish Nuggets for

co-owner/trainer Mason; Promise Me Silver for trainer Bret Calhoun;

Rousanne trained by Steve Asmussen; Unbridled Reward for trainer

Mark Casse; and Zip It Kim trained by John

Hancock.

The six-furlong Debutante is the first stakes test for

two-year-old fillies offered by Churchill Downs. Last year's winner was Fiftyshadesofgold, who came back as a

three-year-old to win the 2014 Eight Belles on Kentucky Oaks Day.

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