Charge Drives to Victory in Caltech

Wheelock Whitney's Florida homebred Charge lived up to his name, rallying with a rush in the stretch to overtake 7-5 favorite Purely Classic by a length in the $75,000 Caltech Handicap for 3-year-olds at rainy Gulfstream Park Sunday.

Ridden for the first time by Eibar Coa with 116 pounds, the son of Dynaformer completed the race, which is run at about 1 1/8 mile on the turf, in 1:55.94 on a course rated good. Color Me Gone was third, a head behind Purely Classic, the high weight at 118 pounds.

Trained by Claude McGaughey III, Charge was coming off a maiden victory on the Gulfstream lawn on March 13, winning for the second time in four starts. The victory was worth $45,000, doubling his career earnings to $90,560.

Rated near the pace set by Mr Mississippi, Charge was fourth while five wide on the final turn before starting his stretch run. Purely Classic was two lengths clear in the stretch, but could not hold off the winner.

Sent off at 10-1 in the eight-horse field, Charge paid $22.40, $6.20 and $4.20. Purely Classic, with Edgar Prado aboard, returned $3.20 and $2.80. Color Me Gone, with Mark Guidry riding, paid $5.60 to show.

(Chart, Equibase)