Making his first career appearance around one turn and just his second start on the dirt, Fox Hill Farms' OMAHA BEACH (c, 3, (War Front&log=">War Front–Charming, by Seeking the Gold) shot to the front prior to the end of the backstretch, widened at will on the turn and jogged home to graduate by the better part of a dozen lengths over a rain-affected strip Saturday at Santa Anita. Sent off the 3-5 chalk on the heels of a near-miss second to would-be GIII Robert B. Lewis S. contender Nolo Contesto (Pioneerof the Nile) going a mile over this main track Jan. 4, Omaha Beach landed in third position early on and well out into the track before accelerating sharply to take the race by the throat passing the half-mile marker. Skipping along rhythmically over the off going while never more than hand-ridden by Flavien Part, the dark bay entered the final furlong well in front and was pushed out hands and heels in a sharp 1:21.02 for the seven furlongs. The winner's dam, a $3.2-million Keeneland September yearling purchase, is a daughter of MGISW Take Charge Lady (Dehere), dam of champion and young sire Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song) and GISW Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy). Omaha Beach is one of four winners from five to make the races for Charming, whose daughter Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway) won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Starlet S. en route to being named champion juvenile filly of 2014. Also the dam of Omaha Beach's Group 1-placed full-brother Courage Under Fire, Charming has not produced a foal since Omaha Beach and is due to American Pharoah this year. Lifetime Record: 5-1-3-1. O-Fox Hill Farms Inc; B-Charming Syndicate (KY); T-Richard Mandella.
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