Will Take Charge avoids DQ in Oaklawn Handicap

Will Take Charge survived not only a wide trip but also a stewards’ inquiry and two claims of foul before finally becoming the official winner of Saturday’s $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Will Take Charge rallied from last down the backstretch to a three-quarter length decision over Revolutionary in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap. The stewards immediately posted the inquiry sign with jockeys Mike Smith, who rode Revolutionary, and Gary Stevens on Golden Lad, quickly following suit by lodging claims of foul against the unofficial winner and jockey Luis Saez. The stewards deliberated for nearly 10 minutes before allowing the original order of finish to stand .

Both Revolutionary and Golden Lad are trained by Todd Pletcher.

Will Take Charge settled at the rear of the six-horse field during the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap with Right to Vote, as expected, setting the early pace. Will Take Charge, still last after six furlongs, was angled five wide by Saez launching his rally into the stretch. He then lugged in on a couple of occasions while continuing his bid, first coming in on the tiring Golden Lad in early stretch and then again squeezing Revolutionary inside the eighth pole before eventually wearing down Carve and edging away to his first win of the season in three starts.

Revolutionary saved ground while racing just inside Will Take Charge for six furlongs. He eased out slightly while attempting to rally entering the stretch before bumping briefly with Golden Lad when his uncoupled mate steadied inside the winner approaching the eighth pole. Revolutionary took up briefly a second time after being squeezed and jostled by Will Take Charge near midstretch before continuing on willingly between horses to edge Carve to finish second.

Carve slipped inside the pace setting Right to Vote to gain a short advantage in early stretch before giving way grudgingly through the final furlong. He was followed by Prayer for Relief, Golden Lad, and the tiring Right to Vote.

Moreno was scratched earlier in the day when he was treated with antibiotics after contracting shipping fever, according to his trainer, Eric Guillot.

Will Take Charge covered nine furlongs over a fast track in 1:49.55 and paid $2.80. Co-owner Willis Horton said Will Take Charge would likely make his next start in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster on June 14 at Churchill Downs.

"I didn't see anything out of him that would have been an objection,” said Horton. “It was nice to get that trophy."

- additional reporting by David Grening and Mary Rampellini