Take Charge Indy to remain in training for 2013

Take Charge Indy, winner of this year’s Florida Derby (G1) and recent runner-up in the Clark H. (G1), will remain in training for 2013 and winter in South Florida to train for his 4-year-old campaign, which is expected to include a start in the Feb. 9 Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream as an initial goal.

WinStar Farm acquired the breeding rights on the regally-bred son of A.P. Indy, and will stand the colt at the completion of his racing career.

“We’re extremely excited to bring back Take Charge Indy as a 4-year-old, and really look forward to big things to come,” said trainer Pat Byrne. “He is just now rounding back into top form, and we believe he can be a leading older horse in 2013. His Clark performance gives us a lot of confidence going forward, and he couldn’t have bounced out of that race any better than he did. We’ll go down to Palm Meadows again for the winter and target him for the Donn.”

Campaigned by owners Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, Take Charge Indy currently has earnings of $821,824 on the track. His biggest win to date came in the $1 million Florida Derby over a field that included Grade 1 winner Union Rags. Most recently, Take Charge Indy was second beaten a length by leading older horse Shackleford in the Clark H. (G1) at Churchill.

“Everything about Take Charge Indy exudes class, from his race record and good looks, to his pedigree,” said Elliott Walden, WinStar President & CEO. “He joined Bernardini as the only sons of A.P. Indy in North America to win a Grade 1 as 3-year-olds, and we feel that he will be tremendously well-received when he comes to stud. The prevailing belief by everyone involved is that Take Charge Indy will be even better as a 4-year-old, so we’re excited about his potential to come back and be a top-level racehorse next year.”

By legendary sire of sires A.P. Indy, Take Charge Indy is out of three-time Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady.