2 Year-Old Fillies Going Long for the First Time in Pocahontas

Take Charge Brandi is the lukewarm 7/2 favorite for trainer D. Wayne Lukas on the merit of her second place finish in the Grade II Schuylerville Stakes July 18 at Saratoga.  That race, however, was not run in particularly fast time as Take Charge Brandi earned just a 66 Beyer Speed figure after setting fast early fractions and fading in the final stages.  Even more troubling for the favorite was her most recent effort – a dismal fifth place finish in the Grade II Adirondack Stakes August 10 at Saratoga.  Still, Take Charge Brandi’s pedigree suggests that extra distance should benefit her.  As a daughter of the stamina-laden Giant’s Causeway, she is also out of a Seeking the Gold mare.

Pangburn should handle the dirt 

At 9/2 on the morning line, Pangburn looks like a serious contender for trainer Kenny McPeek despite her inexperience.  Pangburn broke her maiden at first asking July 12 at Ellis Park in a one-mile turf race making her the only winner of a two-turn race in the field.  Additionally, the switch from turf to dirt can be viewed auspiciously as Pangburn is a daughter of Congrats from the dirt-dominant A.P. Indy line. 

Loom looks to break maiden in stakes

Loom (6/1 ML) looks to be another serious player in the field despite entering the race still a maiden.  The Victoria Oliver trainee recorded a field-best 73 Beyer in her last start against maiden special weight company at Indiana Downs falling a neck short at a two-turn mile.