Take Charge Tom eyeing Sunland Park Derby for next start
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The unbeaten Take Charge Tom is on pace to make his next start in the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby on Feb. 16 after winning the local prep last Friday in New Mexico.
Take Charge Tom tracked the pace en route to a length win over favorite Smash It in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby. For the effort, Take Charge Tom earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 77.
“I thought he ran quite well, first time going two turns – and that Smash It is no slouch,” Robertino Diodoro, who trains Take Charge Tom, said Saturday.
“One day at a time, but I think we’re going to go toward the Sunland Derby with him and Itsmybirthday. Itsmybirthday is a horse that’s run twice, won both of his races, and has done it very impressively. I think he’s a horse that’s got a bright future.”
Itsmybirthday is a son of Vekoma who has made both his starts in sprints at Turf Paradise. He won his maiden by more than 10 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs and earning a Beyer of 79. One start later, Itsmybirthday won a conditioned allowance at six furlongs with a Beyer of 78.
Take Charge Tom is now 3 for 3, with his other wins a maiden race and the Lost in the Fog Juvenile, both at Turf Paradise. He has returned home to Turf Paradise.
Take Charge Tom will pick up more distance for the Sunland Derby, moving from a mile to 1 1/16 miles, and Diodoro said it will suit the horse, who sat just off leader Smash It for much of the Riley Allison Derby.
“I really don’t know if he wants to lay that close to the lead,” Diodoro said, “but with circumstances [Friday], the track was very dry, strong wind, and only really one speed horse, which was the tough horse, Smash It. It kind of forced us to lay a little closer than I think he really he wants to. He’s a fairly big horse, and I think he wants to get himself gathered up and just sit chilly and not be rushed the first part. I think he’ll be better sitting a little more chilly the first part.”
Take Charge Tom is a son of Tom’s d’Etat. He races for his breeder, Randy Howg.
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