Charge It has first work since setback; being pointed to Kelso
ELMONT, N.Y. - Charge It on Tuesday returned to the work tab for the first time in six weeks as he ramps up preparation for a fall campaign his connections hope begins with a start in the Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso Handicap at Aqueduct on Oct. 29.
Charge It breezed a half-mile in 49.22 seconds by himself Tuesday morning over the Belmont Park training track. He went his first quarter in 25.33 seconds, his second quarter in 23.89 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.97.
It was Charge It’s first breeze since Aug. 13. Shortly thereafter he began battling a foot problem that forced him to miss the Grade 1 Travers on Aug. 27 and last Saturday’s Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby.
“It was a grabbed quarter that turned into a wall separation that just took a long time to get healed up,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We were trying to get there and we couldn’t keep training and get it healed up at the same time.”
Pletcher said he discussed with Mandy Pope and Todd Quast, the principals of Whisper Hill Farm, owner of Charge It, a fall schedule that would include the Kelso and the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 3.
“I feel very comfortable that he’ll be ready for the Kelso based on the way he went today and the time we have between now and then so I think that’s a logical target,” Pletcher said.
Charge It, a son of Tapit, has not run since he won the Grade 3 Dwyer by 23 lengths on July 2. That was his first start after a 17th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby after which it was determined he had displaced his palate. He underwent a minor throat operation to correct that issue.
Charge It won his maiden in his second start and was second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby in his third.
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