The first mare bred to Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm homebred CHARGE IT (Tapit – I’ll Take Charge – Indian Charlie) has been checked in foal, Gainesway Farm announced Feb. 26.
Delovely (More Than Ready – Delightful, by Bernardini) is a winning five-year-old mare and a half-sister to three winners. Her second dam, Dancinginmydreams, was runner-up in the Matron Stakes (G1) and is full sister to Champion Heavenly Prize and Grade 1 winner Oh What a Windfall. Delovely is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Dancing Forever. She also hails from the family of Grade 1 winners Dancing Spree, Furlough, Fantastic Find, Good Reward, Instilled Regard, and Persistently. Delovely is owned by Spite Farm, LLC and is boarded at Scott Pierce’s Hidden Creek Farm.
CHARGE IT broke his maiden (Race Replay) at Gulfstream Park by 8 ½ lengths earning him ‘TDN Rising Star’ honors. He then ran second to future Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, White Abarrio, in the Florida Derby (G1).
CHARGE IT stamped himself as a top class colt when he won the Dwyer Stakes (G3) (Race Replay) at Belmont Park by an astounding 23 lengths, earning a career-best 111 Beyer Speed Figure. This Beyer was the highest figure achieved by any 3-year-old going a mile or less on dirt in 2022.
His campaign at four was led by another dominant victory, this time coming at a 1 ¼ miles in the Suburban Stakes (G2) (Race Replay), where he drew away to win by 4 ¾ lengths. CHARGE IT tied for the highest Beyer Speed Figure among all horses going 1 ¼ miles that year when he earned a 106.
“Winning any graded race by 23 lengths, as CHARGE IT did in the Dwyer, takes an immensely talented horse. CHARGE IT’s ability was at the Grade 1 level.” said trainer Todd Pletcher.
In total, CHARGE IT registered Beyer Speed Figures of 100 or higher on four occasions, and retired with four wins and earnings of $887,270.
CHARGE IT hails from one of the most prominent and active families. He is bred on the same cross as Horse of the Year, Flightline, being out of the Indian Charlie mare, I’ll Take Charge, herself a $2.2 million yearling. His second dam is the multiple Grade 1 winner and 2013 Broodmare of the Year, Take Charge Lady.
Take Charge Lady is the dam of champion Will Take Charge and Grade 1 winners Take Charge Indy and As Time Goes By. She is also the granddam of champion Take Charge Brandi and Grade 1 winner Omaha Beach.
“CHARGE IT is an exceptional looking horse that possessed brilliance,” added Gainesway General Manager Brian Graves. “His pedigree is among the very best available to breeders.”
CHARGE IT stands at Gainesway for $12,500 LFSN.