Who's In Charge exceeds De La Cerda's expectations

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Armando De La Cerda suspected Who’s in Charge might be a good horse, considering the unstarted colt was competitive in morning works at Gulfstream West with the De La Cerda stable stars Jay’s Way and Kory.

But Who’s in Charge was matched against 3-year-old maidens from highly regarded barns in his debut last Saturday.

“I looked at the Racing Form and said, oh, too tough,” De La Cerda said. “I’ve only had the horse since late November and thought maybe I needed more time with him.”

Think again: Who’s in Charge dominated the six-furlong race from the opening bell, paying $50 to win. The son of Take Charge Indy is owned by the Midwest Thoroughbreds of Richard and Karen Papiese.

“He is very fast, but I think he can go longer,” De La Cerda said. “We will think about a stakes for him, maybe.”

Servis considering options

Jason Servis said Monday he has yet to decide on a next start for Call Paul, who overcame a sluggish start in winning the Grade 3 Swale here Saturday. It was the second graded stakes victory for Call Paul, following the Grade 2 Saratoga Special last August.

Servis also is still mulling his options with World of Trouble in the aftermath of yet another big Beyer (107) that the 4-year-old colt earned in the off-turf Gulfstream Turf Sprint on Jan. 26.

◗ The highlight of the coming weekend at Gulfstream is the Grade 3, $150,000 Suwanee River for fillies and mares going 1 1/8 miles on the turf. It will be run Saturday, the same day as the Grade 3, $175,000 Endeavour for fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles on the Tampa Bay Downs turf.

The $100,000 El Prado, a 7 1/2-furlong turf race for older horses, also will be run Saturday at Gulfstream.