Will Take Charge’s Manny Wah got his first graded stakes win and an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) with his thrilling victory in Friday’s $350,000 Phoenix S. (G2) at Keeneland.
The Phoenix is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race, guaranteeing Manny Wah a paid starting spot in the Sprint, which will be at Keeneland next month.
Manny Wah was last in the field of eight before being set down for the dramatic stretch drive. Jockey Corey Lanerie weaved Manny Wah between and inside horses through the stretch and caught Long Range Toddy and Topper Gunner in the final strides, with a neck separating the top three on the wire.
The final time for the six furlongs on a fast track was 1:10.31.
“This horse had a lot of bad luck. He could have won a few more races. Today, the race, the trip – Corey gave him one and the horse does what he does; he tries all the time,” said trainer Wayne Catalano. “He’s one of our favorite horses in the barn. Everybody loves him and he loves everybody. He’s a people’s horse.”
Manny Wah has now earned $791,355 for his owner Susan Moulton. The 6-year-old was bred in Kentucky by Martha Jane Mulholland and Modo Tesio Equine, LLC. Manny Wah’s dam is the stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Battlefield Angel. She is a full sister to multiple graded winner Blended Citizen and a half-sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Lookin At Lee.
With eight stakes winners, four of them graded, this year, Will Take Charge leads all Fifth-Crop sires in both categories for 2022.
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