Take Charge Indy nearing a comeback to the races
Chuck and Maribeth Sandford’s 3-year-old colt, Take Charge Indy was blossoming into a super fine sophomore with the ability to run big any given day, suffered a knee injury in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in May, and was sidelined the whole
of summer then on.
Winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby, a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby, Take Charge Indy was ready to take on the best in his division, and after being considered the best and being included in conversation with those who looked like taking the Kentucky
Derby.
However, all that is gone, done and dusted, and now the Patrick Byrne trained colt is looking for a comeback race, courtesy of his hard work during the time he was allowed to train, and lately he has picked it up to hasten his return.
On 17 October, 2012, at Churchill Downs, Take Charge Indy breezed five furlongs early morning, and went on to clock the distance in 59.80 seconds.
The run pleased his trainer, and Patrick Byrne would be happy with the developing with the Grade 2 Fayette Stakes right around the corner, being considered as Take Charge Indy’s comeback race.
Fayette Stakes will be run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles, over Keeneland’s synthetic surface on 27 October, 2012.
“I know the race is a mile and an eighth, which can be tough for a horse coming back from ankle surgery after nearly six months off,” said Byrne. “But he’s doing just super. I really look for him to run a big one off the shelf. Then we’ll point to the Clark”
– on Nov. 23 at Churchill – “before we head back to Florida.”
Before running in the Florida Derby, Take Charge Indy was a lightly raced 3-year-old colt, with a lone run this year in an allowance optional claimer over 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park, where he finished second to winner El Padrino on 29 January.
As a juvenile, the son of A. P. Indy broke his maiden at first asking at Arlington Park, but failed to make an impression in his next few races as a juvenile.
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