
Will Take Charge, out of Take Charge Lady, is a half-brother to Take Charge Indy, last year’s Florida Derby winner. Jockey Jon Court, who had ridden both Oxbow and Will Take Charge in their last two starts, was aboard Will Take Charge for the win. Lukas took home his second Rebel victory, having won his first in 1989 with Manastash Ridge, and brought an end to Baffert’s streak of three straight Rebel wins.
The win gives Will Take Charge 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby points system which brings his total points to 60 and puts him atop the leaderboard. Oxbow earned 20 points for his second-place finish and moves into sixth position with 36 points. Den’s Legacy grabbed another 10 points for a total of 20 and sits at position 11. Texas Bling got 5 points for finishing fourth, which brings his total points to 9.
Will Take Charge returned $58.00, $16.20, and $9.80. Oxbow paid $7.80 and $5.60 and completed the $2 exacta for $275.80. Den’s Legacy paid $6.00 and completed the $1 trifecta for $1,162.30. Texas Bling completed the $1 superfecta for $17,648. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile race over the fast dirt was 1:45:18.
Photo: Courtesy Oaklawn Park