Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, a multiple grade I stakes winner with career earnings in excess of $2 million, has been installed as the prohibitive 3-5 for Monday's 67th running of the $150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III).
Though winless in three starts this year, the 4-year-old daughter of Dehere has been faring well against top distaffers. In her seasonal bow, the Ken McPeek trainee was second, beaten only a head by reigning Horse of the Year Azeri, in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park (gr. I) in April. She also finished in the runner-up position in her last two trips to the post, the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont and the Delaware Handicap (gr. II) at that Midlantic track.
Take Charge Lady was a top sophomore filly last year, winning six of 10 starts including the Ashland and Spinster stakes (both gr. I) at Keeneland, the Dogwood Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs and the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) in Louisiana.
Assigned top weight of 123 pounds, Take Charge Lady breaks from the outside post in the seven-horse field and will be ridden by former Arlington Park jockey champion Shane Sellers.
Summer Mis comes in off back-to-back winning efforts against state-bred competition, capturing the $45,000 Unique Type Handicap July 26 and the $84,550 Isaac Murphy Handicap on Prairie State Festival Day June 21.
To The Queen was an easy eight-length victress in her last trip to the post, the $45,000 Tosmah Handicap, over the Arlington oval on Aug. 10.
The defending Matron champion, Lakenheath won the $75,000 Truly Bound Handicap at the Fair Grounds in January and ran third in the Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course in April.
$150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III), fillies and mares 3 & up, 1 1/8 mile PP. Horse (Jockey, Wgt.)
1. Fly Borboleta (Corey Lanerie, 114 pounds)
2. To The Queen (Curt Bourque, 117)
3. Lead Story (C. H. Marquez Jr., 115)
4. Summer Mis (Larry Sterling, Jr., 117)
5. Lakenheath (Chris Emigh, 114)
6. Salty Farma (Eusebio Razo Jr., 113)
7. Take Charge Lady (Shane Sellers, 123)
