Churchill Downs announced Wednesday that Will Take It delivered a strategic upset victory in the $131,055 allowance optional claiming race, defeating heavily favored Dragoon Guard by a half-length.
The 4-year-old Tapit colt, sent off at just under 7-1 odds, received a masterful ride from jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. to claim the one-mile contest in a final time of 1:34.09.
Will Take It, a $700,000 Keeneland September purchase, settled into fifth position down the backstretch while tracking dual Grade III winner Dragoon Guard. As Frosted Departure set the early pace followed by Tumbarumba, Hernandez positioned his mount perfectly for the stretch run.
[Spoiler Alert] The decisive moment came inside the eighth pole when Will Take It emerged from behind rivals to challenge Dragoon Guard, who had briefly claimed the lead under Florent Geroux. The Dallas Stewart trainee capitalized on his recency advantage to prevail through the wire.
The victory marks a significant career turnaround for Will Take It, who struggled during his 3-year-old campaign with just one maiden win from 10 starts under trainer Eddie Milligan Jr. Since transferring to Stewart’s barn, the colt has won three of his last five starts, including two allowance victories at Fair Grounds.
Will Take It boasts an impeccable pedigree. His dam, Lady Take Charge, was purchased for $3.2 million by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill Farm at Keeneland November in 2015. She’s a daughter of three-time Grade I winner Take Charge Lady, who has produced multiple Grade I winners including champion Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy.
The extended family includes champion Take Charge Brandi and multiple Grade I winner Omaha Beach. Lady Take Charge has also produced younger offspring by Tapit and Into Mischief.
Will Take It is owned in partnership by Willis Horton Racing LLC and Whisper Hill Farm LLC. His lifetime record now stands at 16 starts with 4 wins, 4 seconds, and 1 third for earnings of $362,404.
WILL TAKE IT ($15.96) took the opener at @ChurchillDowns from Dragoon Guard! @b_hernandezjr was aboard the four-year-old Tapit (@Gainesway) colt for trainer @DallasStewart3. Will Take It is a grandson of multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady. pic.twitter.com/WMsWNr6FwT
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing)
WILL TAKE IT ($15.96) took the opener at May 22, 2025
