The Clark 2012: Take Charge Indy & Shackleford
Take Charge Indy and Calvin Borel are entered in the 2012 Clark Handicap set for Friday November 23rd 5:35 PM EST.
The 2012 Clark Handicap is set to take place this Friday, November 23rd at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky. The field consists of 10 strong colts and geldings three-years-old or older. The 2012 Clark Handicap is extra special to me this year because two of my favorite horses will be running on the 1 1/8 mile dirt track. Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy and Shackleford will both be winning bets for me.
Reports claim Take Charge Indy’s recent workouts look promising for the beautiful dark brown colt to win the 2012 Clark Handicap. Calvin Borel will once again jockey Take Charge Indy. Together Calvin Borel and Take Charge Indy won the Florida Derby. Unfortunately, an ankle injury killed any chances of the dream team from winning the 2012 Kentucky Derby. I placed my bets on Take Charge Indy and Calvin Borel that day in May and knew within seconds that something was wrong with TCI’s leg. After finishing third at Keenland’s Fayette Stakes, Take Charge Indy is ready and better than ever. As far as jockey Calvin Borel, what can I say, I think he’s a genius to say the least. Calvin Borel is a three-time Kentucky Derby winner. If he leads Take Charge Indy to the finish line in first place during the 2012 Clark Handicap, he will become the 26th jockey in North America to reach 5000 winning races in his career.
Take Charge Indy’s trainer Patrick Byrne stated, “I’ve been pointing here since we got hurt in the Derby. We pointed to the Fayette, and we almost pulled it off after six months, which was an incredible feat because he’s a good colt. Now we’re on cue for the Clark. Is he good enough to win it, remains to be seen. There are no excuses from us.”
You can listen to Patrick Byrne discuss Take Charge Indy’s chances in the Clark Handicap on ESPN Audio (Mr. Byrne has a veeerry nice voice).
Shackleford is tugging at my heart a bit because the Clark Handicap will be the very last race of his career. Shackleford’s spirit is contagious. The beautiful horse is known for his pre-race dance moves, which drive adoring fans wild! Shackleford’s jockey will be Jesus Castanon. The team will be the field’s heavyweight at 120 pounds. Shackleford’s team finally made a decision that he would run his final race at Clark instead of the Cigar Mile in New York.
Shackleford’s trainer Dale Romans stated, “Basically it came down to just staying at home. He likes it here and we think he’ll handle the mile and an eighth.”
Post time for The Clark Handicap is scheduled for 5:35 PM EST Friday November 23, 2012. Lady and The Track would like to wish Shackleford, Dale Romans, Jesus Castanon, Take Charge Indy, Calvin Borel, and the man with the super sweet voice, Mr. Patrick Byrne, the best of luck during the 2012 Clark Handicap.
Fun Fact: The Clark Handicap is one of the oldest horse races in America. The first Clark Handicap ran the very first year Churchill Downs was open for business in 1875. Wise Dan and jockey John Velazquez won the 2011 Clark Handicap.
Shackleford will run the last race of his career at the 2012 Clark Handicap.
The 2012 Clark Handicap Contenders:
1) Pool Play
2) Eye of the Leopard
3) Shackleford
4) Bourbon Courage
5) Cease
6) Take Charge Indy
7) Fast Falcon
8) Stealcase
9) Mission Impazible
10) Lunar Victory
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