Will Take Charge Steps Up

First, a blinkerless, Will Take Charge rumbled down the stretch in the Jim Dandy, to run a fast closing second. He followed that up with a nose win, over Moreno, Palace Malice, and Orb in the Travers Stakes. Some may think that was luck. That he capitalized on the difficulties of others. Orb was running in a grade one Classic, in his first start off an 11 week break. He understandably was short, while Will Take Charge was in the form of his life. Palace Malice broke awkwardly and was over 8 lengths behind on a speed favoring track, while getting floated wide on the final turn, losing precious ground. While these thoughts may be true. For many people, Will Take Charge was going to have to prove he was no fluke.

 

In the Pennsylvania Derby, he would be on a surface that is very conducive to front runners. He would be shortening to nine furlongs, off the 10 furlong trip he enjoyed in the Travers. All of these factors gave the speedy Moreno, second in the Travers, a clear advantage in the race.

 

When the gates opened It was Moreno and Fury Kapcori who set out for the front, with Moreno emerging with the lead, being hounded by Fury Kapcori. The pace was a solid one, 23.35, 46.74, and 1.10.41 for the first six furlong. Will Take Charge was surprisingly close up, for his typical one run style, never more than four lengths off the pace. Around the turn he was already to make his move, but trapped in behind a wall of horses. Jockey Louis Siaz, then angled the big colt inside, finding him a seam on the rail, and Will Take Charge exploded.

 

Entering the stretch, it was all Will Take Charge, charging down the stretch. He went on to win the race by over 2 lengths, the largest winning margin of his career. The Pennsylvania Derby may not be a grade one, but the field was worthy of a grade one status, and his performance was nothing short of a grade one performance.

 

 

With his win in the Pennsylvania Derby, Will Take Charge served notice that he is no fluke, that he is indeed for real, and will enter the Breeders’ Cup Classic as a horse that merits respect. With this win, he threw down the gauntlet, putting the ball squarely in Palace Malice, and Orb’s court, when the run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Should they lose, he surges to the front of the three year old standings….should they win, be prepared for possibly the most highly anticipated Classic since 2007.