Trainer Pat Byrne said Take Charge Indy's next major objective will likely be the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 10. Take Charge Indy, who closed his 2-year-old campaign finishing fifth in the BC Juvenile, earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure while finishing two lengths behind El Padrino in his 3-year-old debut.

Prospective Fountain of Youth starter, Discreet Dancer, did not get his scheduled work in Monday, but not because of the weather. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Discreet Dancer spiked a slight temperature Monday, forcing him to cancel his planned workout.

“We’re still 20 days out, so if he were to get over it quickly I wouldn’t rule out the possibility he still could make the Fountain of Youth,” said Pletcher who also confirmed that his unbeaten Algorithms will go in the Fountain of Youth.

On a quiet Saratoga morning last July, champion trainer Todd Pletcher sent a pair of promising unraced juveniles to the gate over the hallowed main track. Both babies shared the “bullet” designation after completing their five-furlong workouts in 58.89 seconds.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Michael Matz had two objectives when sending his Kentucky Derby prospect Union Rags out to work early Monday morning at Palm Meadows – beat the rain and give his Grade 1 winner the opportunity to get a little bit of a blow from what otherwise would have been a routine half-mile breeze.

And in the end, Matz was able to accomplish both his goals.

ARCADIA, Calif. – I’ll Have Another, the upset winner of the Robert Lewis Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, came out of the race well and will await the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 7 for his next and final prep for the May 5 Kentucky Derby, his trainer, Doug O’Neill, said Monday morning.

O’Neill said that he and owner Paul Reddam, along with Reddam’s wife, Zillah, and O’Neill’s brother, Dennis – an advisor to Reddam – met at Santa Anita’s Frontrunner restaurant on Sunday afternoon and decided it was prudent to not jam in another prep race.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – With $180,000 of graded stakes earnings in the bank, Alpha has given his connections the luxury of planning the 3-year-old’s path to the May 5 Kentucky Derby how they see fit.

While Alpha will likely remain on the New York road to the Triple Crown, it remains to be seen whether he will make his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes on March 3 or take a detour and await the $1 million Wood Memorial on April 7.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Alpha passed another test - okay call it a quiz if you like - on the road to the Kentucky Derby with a good-looking 3 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct.

The win came one month after Alpha won the $100,000 Count Fleet Stakes here and confirmed his status as the top 3-year-old Derby prospect stabled in the Northeast. While the field Alpha defeated was not very strong, the performance was viewed as a step forward from the Count Fleet by both trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and jockey Ramon Dominguez.

After a dip in early nominations to the Triple Crown last year, the numbers came roaring back this year, with 397 3-year-olds – led by champion 2-year-old colt Hansen - announced on Saturday as nominees to the 2012 Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.

Exclusive to DRF.com. Countdown to the Crown returns for a seventh season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 6 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class from the maiden ranks through the Grade 1 stakes. You can access daily updates and interactive features at Countdowntothecrown.com as well.

3 things you won’t read anywhere else

 OZONE PARK, N.Y. - King and Crusader, who won two races over Aqueduct's inner track in four days including the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes, could make his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes on March 3, trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said Thursday.

King and Crusader, a son of Lion Heart, won a restricted optional claimer on Jan. 13 going a two-turn mile and then came on Jan. 16 to take the six-furlong Jimmy Winkfield.