2012 Kentucky Derby: Take Charge Indy Breezes In Florida

Take Charge Indy, winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on March 31st, worked five furlongs in 1:00.47 at the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida on Thursday morning. Trainer Patrick Byrne was extremely happy with the work, telling the Thoroughbred Times

“To sum it up in a word — magnificent … [t]he track here is in great shape. It was a super work. He couldn’t be doing any better. He’s ready to go. He was just stretching his legs this morning. Visually, it was very impressive. I’m delighted.”

Take Charge Indy won the Florida Derby in gate-to-wire fashion under three-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel. The son of A.P. Indy has raced six times in his career, with two wins and two seconds. He finished fifth in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs.

In other Kentucky Derby news, the one mile Grade 3 Derby Trial will take place this Saturday at Churchill Downs. At one time, the Derby Trial was used as a serious prep race for the Kentucky Derby, although it’s been many years since the race has provided any meaningful impact. The last horse to win the Derby Trial and the Kentucky Derby was Tim Tam in 1958. Over the last 50 years, the race has faded to relative obscurity.

For more on the 2012 Kentucky Derby, keep it locked to this StoryStream and And Down The Stretch They Come.