Bernietakescharge drew away at the top of the Aqueduct stretch on her way to a 6 ¼-length victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Heavenly Prize Inv., giving the 4-year-old daughter of Take Charge Indy her first stakes victory.
Bernietakecharge was quickest away from the gate and narrowly led over Aussie Girl (IRE) through a half-mile in :46.36. Around the turn, heavily-favored Weigh the Risks made a bold move and looked poised to take the lead at the top of the stretch, but Bernietakescharge sprinted clear and opened up down the lane, ultimately stopping the timer in 1:38.53 for the mile on the fast track.
“It’s great,” said winning trainer Domenick Schettino. “[For] Bob Rosenthal [co-owner] and his family, I trained every horse — the mom, all the siblings. [For] Jan Durrschmidt, where we raise the horses at Indigo Farm. It’s a special feeling.
“A mile, mile and an eighth are probably what’s in her wheelhouse,” continued Schettino. “I won’t run her shorter than that.”
The winner is owned by Rosenthal along with Bradford Bernstein, who also bred the dark bay filly. Bernietakescharge is a half-sister to the stakes winner Bernieandtherose. With the win, Bernietakescharge is now 5-2-2 in 15 starts and has earned $354,580.
Take Charge Indy’s banner Saturday also included Montalcino triumphing in his 2025 debut at Fair Grounds. The 4-year-old stakes-placed colt, who is just a head away from being undefeated in four starts, rolled to a 5 ½-length allowance win, covering six furlongs in 1:08.97 and earning a 100 Beyer Speed Figure. Montalcino is owned by Twin Brooks Stables, Runnels Racing and Henley Farms Inc., the latter also his breeder.
