When trainer Kenny McPeek saw Central Bank Ashland (G1) runner-up Take Charge Milady for the first time at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, he thought he had seen her before. So he purchased the filly as agent from the Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services consignment for $60,000.

“She reminded me of her grandmother,” McPeek said, referring to Take Charge Lady. “The overall picture was an eerie resemblance: same conformation, same head, same angles. She has definitely taken that bloodline from her grandmother.”

From 2001-2003, McPeek trained Take Charge Lady to win 11 races from 22 career starts and earn $2,480,377. She captured four Keeneland stakes – including the 2002 Ashland – to rank among the most successful runners in the track’s history. Becoming a foundation broodmare whose name appears in pedigrees worldwide, Take Charge Lady was honored as Kentucky Broodmare of the Year for 2013. Her offspring include millionaire and Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy, sire of Take Charge Milady.

“Being sired by a son of Take Charge Lady, I think the genetics pushed straight through from mother to son and son to daughter,” McPeek said. “In Take Charge Milady’s early training, she was very reminiscent of Take Charge Lady. Although, unlike Take Charge Lady, she did not win until she turned 3, she is quickly catching up to her grandmother.”

McPeek conditions Take Charge Milady for James Ball, Magdalena Racing and Kenneth Rhodes.

The filly, who finished 1¼ lengths behind La Cara in the Central Bank Ashland, returned to his division at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning to continue preparing for the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2.