I went to R.T. O ‘Sullivan’s in Mesa, AZ, for a few beers in celebration of Oktoberfest and settled in to watch the Pennsylvania Derby. It was a great race in the post Parade WILL TAKE CHARGE looked the best to me on his toes and happy. D. Wayne Lukas still has a few tricks up his sleeves. As I had written earlier Will Take Charge's form improved off of the Travers Stakes. 

I plunked a few bucks on his nose and played a few exactas, He broke from the gate hesitantly. He sat about fifth all the way around the track. First on the outside then Luis tucked him closer to the rail. 

As they turned for home, the wall of horses in front of him lugged out, a brief hole cracked open and Luis Saez made a great move down inside and blew everyone away down the home stretch. It looks like he has spent a bit more time with Will Take Charge, he is a big lumbering horse, and the move he made at the top of the Stretch was impressive. It was both patient, well timed and the amount of stamina Will Take Charge demonstrated is a quality of a great horse.

Moreno held on for second. The race set up much differently than the Travers so the versatility of Will Take Charge is another great attribute. Three year old horse of the year? I’m starting to think so.

Congratulations to WILL TAKE CHARGE and D. Wayne Lukas and Luis Saez!!!