Randy Howg's homebred Take Charge Tom overcame a stumble at the start to get his first graded stakes victory in the CA$200,000 Canadian Derby (G3) by 5 3/4 lengths Aug. 23 for trainer Robertino Diodoro at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. It was Diodoro's fifth victory in the race.
The 3-year-old gelding by Tom's d'Etat stumbled at the break, but quickly regained his footing to stalk the pacesetter Pioneer Storm King through fractions of :23.17, :47.38, 1:11.93, 1:37.87. He took the lead in the stretch and kicked clear to win the 1 1/4 mile race in 2:03.99 under Rasheed Hughes. Accidental Genius rallied from last in the field of 11 to finish second by a head over Attack. He paid $5.90 to win.
Take Charge Tom was first across the wire in his last start in the Manitoba Derby Aug. 4 at Assiniboia Downs, but was disqualified for interference and placed seventh. The Manitoba Derby is the first race of the Western Canadian Triple Crown, followed by the Canadian Derby, and British Columbia Derby (G3) Sept. 13 at Hastings Racecourse.
He improved his record to 6-0-1 from nine career starts, and upped his lifetime earnings to $334,724.
