Highlighting the list of more than 100 horses that recorded published workouts at Churchill Downs the morning of Nov. 10 were Take Charge Indy , Bourbon Courage , and Cease. The trio of stakes winners is being pointed to the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) Nov. 23.
Chuck and Maribeth Sandford's Take Charge Indy, winner of the Florida Derby (gr. I) prior to finishing 19th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with an injury, breezed a "bullet" three furlongs in :35 3/5 with Calvin Borel aboard. It brought nothing but smiles at trainer Pat Byrne's barn following the work.
"This horse is doing so good," said Borel. "The race at Keeneland (third in the grade II Fayette off a layup) was an awesome race. I'm not scared of anyone right now, especially after this morning. Pat has done such a good job with this horse and this horse is just starting to get good. He's just going to get better and better."
Byrne was equally as happy with the colt's performance on a crystal clear fall morning.
"He worked super, so we're ready to go," Byrne said. "You couldn't have a horse work any better than that."
The Sandfords were on hand for the work, as was Elliott Walden, president, CEO and racing manager of
WinStar Farm, where Take Charge Indy will stand at stud following his racing career.
"He's only had eight races, so he's a lightly raced horse," Chuck Sandford said. "No wear and tear. He's the best Patrick has ever had him, so we have no excuses. We're ready to run."
Bourbon Lane Stable and Wayne Lynn's Bourbon Courage, winner of the Super Derby (gr. II) and most recently second behind Neck 'n Neck in the Indiana Derby (gr. II), breezed five furlongs in 1:00. It was the second-fastest of 48 at the distance.
"He's really doing good right now," trainer Kellyn Gorder said. "I can't wait for the race."
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Cease, runner-up to Pool Play in the Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II), breezed five furlongs in 1:02 2/5, which ranked 33rd at the distance.
"The horse is doing really well," trainer Al Stall Jr. said. "Maybe it's his turn."
Take Charge Indy, Bourbon Courage, and Cease are to have their final works prior to the Clark next weekend at Churchill Downs.