ALYSHEBA S. (gr. II ), Churchill Downs , May 03, 2013 , $300,000 Added , value of race $339,900 , 4 yo's & up , 1 1/16 miles , 1:41.41 Dirt FT .

Take Charge Indy is back. Last year’s Florida Derby (gr. I) winner, who was injured in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), finally has returned to his early 2012 form, romping by six lengths in the $339,900 Alysheba Stakes (gr. II).

Ridden by Rosie Napravnik, the son of A.P. Indy—Take Charge Lady, by Dehere, stalked the early pace set by longshot Right to Vote, took command turning for home, and drew away to defeat a deep, talented field that included runner-up Cyber Secret and third-place finisher Hymn Book. Cyber Secret, the 5-2 favorite, was disqualified and placed eighth for interference nearing the five-sixteenths pole. As a result, Hymn Book was placed second and Bourbon Courage was moved up to third.

Take Charge Indy, owned by WinStar Farm and Chuck and Maribeth Sanford and bred in Kentucky by Eaton Sales, paid $7.60 as the second choice.

The fractions of the 11/16-mile race were a bit unusual, with the opening splits of :48.28 and 1:12.46 followed by a blistering :22.94 quarter and a final sixteenth in :06.01, which no doubt accounted for Take Charge Indy’s dominant final quarter, in which he drew away from his field to complete the distance in 1:41.41.

“We were looking for a big race and we got it this year,” trainer Patrick Byrne said. “We beat some nice horses today, and I just love the way he did it. He did it with authority.”

Said Napravnik, “I was just sitting, waiting patiently and when we turned for home and I asked him, I gave him a little tap on the shoulder and he was great. He accelerated like not every horse can do. He was really on his toes today. This horse was really in great order; they’ve been doing a great job with him. He was so sharp, and we got a great trip. He was just excellent coming down the lane and accelerated really well.”

Take Charge Indy’s dam, Take Charge Lady, won eight graded stakes, including back-to-back runnings of the Overbrook Spinster Stakes (gr. I), as well as the grade I Ashland Stakes and grade II Fair Grounds Oaks.

In addition to Take Charge Indy, she has produced 2013 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) and Smarty Jones Stakes winner Will Take Charge, who has earned more than $545,000. He finished eighth in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

A son of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, A.P. Indy is the sire of 148 stakes winners, including Malibu Moon, whose son Orb won the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Pensioned in 2011, A.P. Indy stood at Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Ky.—S.H.