Friday, May 4, 2012

The Sandford’s of Marengo, Ill. “Take Charge” on Kentucky Derby Day

By Mike PorcaroMidwest Thoroughbredwww.mwtmag.com

 Most people think that those who own race horses are millionaire conglomerates and huge corporate syndicates. While that is true for a portion of horse racing ownership, there are many race horse owners who are simply ordinary folks just livin’ the dream.

Take Chuck and Maribeth Sandford, for example. They got into the horse business for a hobby. The couple, who hails from Marengo, Ill. in McHenry County, own a horse called Take Charge Indy. He’s no ordinary horse, not by a long shot. That’s because Take Charge Indy, a three-year old colt, has won $721,000 during his six race career winning twice and finishing second two times.
And there’s more.

Now? Well, the couple has a horse in Kentucky Derby 2012!
Take Charge Indy is posted at generous odds of 15-1, even after he upset the field by winning the Florida Derby on March 31 at Gulfstream Park. A son of the great A.P. Indy, the colt finished fifth as a two-year old in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs last November losing by just 6-1/4 lengths.

The trainer of Take Charge Indy is Patrick Byrne, known as one of the best conditioners in the game of young horses. The colt will be ridden by jockey Calvin Borel, who has won the Kentucky Derby three times, including a win on Street Sense, owned by Jim Tafel of Barrington, Ill., in the 2007 Kentucky Derby.
There will be thousands of fans nationwide cheering for Take Charge Indy to win this year’s Kentucky Derby and along with them will be every “ordinary” guy and gal who ever aspired to own a horse that would compete in a race called “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

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