Grade 1 winner and millionaire Take Charge Indy was retired from racing today after surgery to repair his left foreleg resulting from an injury sustained in yesterday’s Monmouth Cup (G2) at Monmouth Park. The son of A.P. Indy will stand at WinStar Farm for the 2014 breeding season.
“I was on the lead with a big smile on my face. He was cruising. The only question was how much would he win by,” said Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.
Immediately after the race, the 4-year-old colt was shipped to nearby Hogan Equine. Dr. Patty Hogan successfully performed a 30-minute procedure on Take Charge Indy this morning. He has come out of the surgery in good condition.
“It’s unbelievable how classy this horse is,” said Dr. Hogan. “The surgery went very well. He’s a super patient.”
A graded stakes horse at 2, 3, and 4, Take Charge Indy broke his maiden by an impressive 6 1/2 lengths at Arlington Park in his 2-year-old debut. He followed up this performance with a close second in the Washington Futurity (G3), setting the stage for his 3-year-old season. In a strong Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park including top performers Union Rags and El Padrino, Take Charge Indy wired the field and won the Kentucky Derby prep race by a length. Earlier this year, he took the Alysheba S. (G2) at Churchill Downs posting a 109 Beyer Speed Figure.
“We purchased Take Charge Indy because of his gene pool. Considering he might be the last great son of A.P. Indy, his mother winning 3 Grade 1’s, and he being a Grade 1 winner as well, we feel he has a tremendous chance at stud,” said WinStar Farm President & CEO Elliott Walden. “When I first went to see him, I thought I was looking at A.P. Indy himself.”
Take Charge Indy is out of three-time Grade 1 winner and millionaire Take Charge Lady, making him a half brother to top 3-year-old Will Take Charge, a favorite for this year’s Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga. His stud fee will be announced at a later date.
