The day after a fantastic renewal of the Grade 1 Clark Handicap under the Twin Spires, the top three finishers were in fine order in their stalls at Churchill Downs, but definite plans for each horse have yet to be decided.
The decision to retire Clark winner Shackleford following Friday's race was made before he even passed the entry box, but what remains unknown is when the four-year-old son of Forestry will walk out of his stall at Churchill Downs for the final time. Trainer Dale Romans said Shackleford will likely leave for Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, on Monday, but nothing has been finalized.
Take Charge Indy, runner-up in the Clark, came out of the race in fantastic order, according to trainer Pat Byrne. Owners Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, along with WinStar Farm President and CEO Elliott Walden, were at Churchill Downs early Saturday morning to discuss the future racing career of the Grade 1-winning son of A.P. Indy.
"He came back great and he's as happy as he could be," Chuck Sandford said. "A decision (on whether or not he will be retired) is coming quick. WinStar will make the announcement when the decision is made. It could come as early as Monday or Tuesday and shouldn't be any later than Wednesday."
Kellyn Gorder's assistant trainer Evan Downing said Bourbon Courage exited his third-place effort in the Clark in perfect condition.
"There's no reason to turn him out if he's 100-percent," Downing stated. "The plan is to take him to New Orleans on Monday. We'll look at something like the (Grade 3) Mineshaft (at Fair Grounds on February 23). That would be a good prep for something like the (Grade 2) New Orleans Handicap (at Fair Grounds on March 30)."
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