Oaklawn Park: Will Take Charge, Strong Mandate tune up

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Champion Will Take Charge tuned up for the Santa Anita Handicap in the first set of workers Tuesday, breezing a half-mile in 48.20 seconds. Clockers had his final quarter in 23.20 and a five-furlong gallop-out in 1:02.20.

Strong Mandate, his stablemate and the runner-up in the Southwest Stakes, worked in the second set, covering a half-mile in a bullet 48 seconds.

Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton carried Strong Mandate through an opening eighth-mile in 12.20, a first quarter in 24.40, three furlongs in 35.80, and galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.40.

◗ Bull Dozer will be seeking the 16th win of his career Thursday, in the eighth race. The optional $50,000 claimer for 4-year-olds and up will be run over six furlongs. Other leading contenders include Back Forty and Officer Alex.

◗ Jose Lezcano has picked up the mount on Kobe’s Back for the Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on March 15, trainer John Sadler said Tuesday. Joel Rosario rode Kobe’s Back to his victory in the San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita earlier this month, but Rosario is riding Strong Mandate in the Rebel.

– additional reporting by Jay Privman