Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Take Charge Indy breezed five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center April 26 as the son of A.P. Indy continued to prep for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
With exercise rider Susie Bricker aboard, the colt worked in company with Zimmer, a fourth-place finisher March 11 at Gulfstream in a $66,100 allowance optional claimer, and was timed in fractional splits of :11 3/5, :23 3/5, and :47 3/5. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14 3/5.
“To sum it up in a word—magnificent,” Byrne said of the workout. “It was a super work. He couldn’t be doing any better. He’s ready to go. He was just stretching his legs this morning. Visually, it was very impressive. I’m delighted.”
“He went super…so easy,” Bricker said. “As soon as the horse came up to us in the stretch he took off again.”
“He’s just going to go back to galloping,” Byrne said of the remaining schedule for Take Charge Indy. “I schooled him in the gate Tuesday, so we don’t have to worry about that. All we’ll do at Churchill next week is gallop over the track. He may two-minute lick a little, but he likes the track. He worked a bullet prior to (last year’s Breeders’ Cup) Juvenile. He doesn’t need to do anymore than what he’s done today. He’s really mentally sharp and ready to go.
“We’re looking forward to this race. He’s had a nice rest since the Florida Derby,” the trainer continued. “Things couldn’t have gone better since the Florida Derby. It’s been perfect.”
Owned by Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, Take Charge Indy has won two of six starts, with two placings, and earnings of $721,000. The colt bred in Kentucky by Eaton Sales broke his maiden at first asking over Polytrack at Arlington Park before finishing second in the Arlington-Washington Futurity (gr. III). Shipped to Keeneland, Take Charge Indy was fourth, four lengths behind winner Dullahan, in the Breeders’ Futurity (gr. I) on Polytrack at Keeneland.
Take Charge Indy rounded out his juvenile campaign when fifth, 6 1/4 lengths behind winner and eventual champion Hansen, in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) in his first dirt start.
Prior to his Florida Derby win at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino March 31, Take Charge Indy was second to Kentucky Derby contender El Padrino in an optional claimer at the Florida track.