Take Charge Lady a Go for the Arlington Matron

Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, one of the headline attractions in this year's older filly and mare division, is coming to Arlington Park as the starring individual in Monday's grade III Arlington Matron Handicap.

The 67th running of the Matron, main event of Chicago's Thoroughbred summer for older members of the distaff set on the main track, will serve as the showcase contest on what will be only the second Monday racing program of the 2003 season at the local oval.

Take Charge Lady's trainer Ken McPeek informed Arlington's racing office that he would accept racing secretary and handicapper Frank G. Gabriel Jr.'s top impost of 123 pounds in the Matron shortly after the weights were released Sunday.

The 4-year-old filly has finished second in her only three starts this year, but was defeated each time by a rival considered at the top echelon of those currently in training. In her last trip to the post in the grade II Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park, the daughter of Dehere was easily second best while unable to stay with the winning Chilean-bred Wild Spirit.

Previously, Take Charge Lady was second to Sightseek in Belmont's Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) June 21, and had been runner-up to Horse of the Year Azeri at Oaklawn in the grade I Apple Blossom April 5.