Take Charge Lady Lift's The Mood Of Trainer Ken McPeek

Kentucky Oaks Update/McPeek Again -- While trainer Ken McPeek's weekend got off to a disappointing start with the near-miss by Harlan's Holiday in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, it didn't take long for Select Stable's Take Charge Lady to lift his mood.

The 3-year-old daughter of Dehere reinforced her credentials as a major contender for the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a frontrunning 8 1/2-length romp in the Silverbulletday Stakes (GIII) at the Fair Grounds. Jockey Jon Court, subbing for regular rider Tony D'Amico, guided Take Charge Lady to the lead at the start and was never challenged as she completed the 1 1/16-miles on a "fast" track in 1:42.09, which essentially equalled an eight-year-old track record. (The old record, held by Pie In Your Eye, was 1:42 and was set when race times were measured exclusively in fifths of a second). Her mile split bettered the record for that distance.

Charmed Gift was second, followed by Chamrousse and the favored Lake Lady.

"When I called on her down the lane she gave me a pretty good kick," said Court. "She's one of the best fillies I've ever got to ride."

It was the first race for the winner of the Walmac Alcibiades (GII) at Keeneland since a runner-up finish to Belterra in the Golden Rod (GII) at Churchill Downs in November. Take Charge Lady has won 4-of-6 races.