Will Take Charge Grabs The Clark Handicap Win

Will Take Charge Grabs the Win InThe Last Stretch at The 2013 Clark Handicap

It was a close race for Will Take Charge and Game On Dude at the Clark Handicap 2013 at Churchill Downs. Will Take Charge was able to get past Game On Dude for the Grade 1 Clark Handicap win and the $500,000 prize.

Will Take Charge got past Game on Dude by running down the middle of the Churchill Downs homestretch in the final 100 yards. Will Take Charge is a three-year-old colt who already won his 2nd Grade 1 race at Travers and his 4th graded stakes this year.

Although Game On Dude had a slow break from the gate, with Our Double Play and Francisco Torres taking the early lead, Game On Dude was able to take the lead and even gained a 2-3 length lead at one point in the race, staying in the lead at the top of the stretch, but Will Take Charge steadily gained on Game On Dude, eventually taking a head in front of Game On Dude and taking the win. Will Take Charge was able to move from a middle stalking spot and power past Game On Dude.

Will Take Charge and Game On Dude were two of the favorites for this race, although Will Take Charge just suffered a loss in the Breeders Cup. Will Take Charge is trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by jockey Luis Saez.

Jockey Luis Saez told reporters after the 2013 Clark Handicap, “When he came into the stretch, my horse had to change leads, so that’s what I tried to (get him) do…When he changed, he was flying, so I knew I was going to beat him [Game On Dude].”

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas reported that Will Take Charge handled the Clark Handicap well yesterday and was doing just fine today stating, “He’s very good. It’s amazing how composed and everything he was in the winner’s circle. He wasn’t blowing much, or anything. I think he struggled with the racetrack a little bit. But maybe the others did, too.”

Easter Gift and Bourbon Courage came in third and fourth place, rounding out the leaders of the 2013 Clark Handicap.

2013 Delta Downs Jackpot Results & Payouts:
7 Will Take Charge $6.80 to Win, $3.00 to Place, $2.60 to Show
1 Game On Dude $3.40 to Win, $2.60 to Place
6 Easter Gift $5.20 to Place

2013 Clark Handicap Replay by John Piassek:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhUeornDR6c