Change of Control aims for third straight, but at a shorter price

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Toteboard respect isn’t a requirement for success, and a filly named Change of Control is tangible proof.

In her only two outings over the Churchill Downs turf course, Change of Control has returned $2 win mutuels of $73.80 and $38.80.

“We don’t mind that, I guess,” said Michelle Lovell, who trains the 4-year-old daughter of Fed Biz for Roddy Harrison. “She does love this turf course.”

The latest upset by Change of Control came May 28, and a basic rematch of that turf dash comes Friday as the first of four allowances on a terrific card at fan-free Churchill. The first five finishers from that key race will clash again when going 5 1/2 furlongs in race 4, an $88,000 allowance with wide-open conditions.

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Change of Control, with Colby Hernandez back to ride, will break from the outside post in a field of eight fillies and mares. Four others are assigned slots outside of her, but they will all scratch as “main-track-only” designates, given the prolonged stretch of dry weather in this area.

Among the top challengers to Change of Control is Morticia (post 6, Tyler Gaffalione), the millionaire mare who was defeated only a length when fourth in the key race. That was the first start for Morticia since October, “so you have to think she probably needed one,” Lovell said.

Morticia is back in action as a 6-year-old mostly because trainer Rusty Arnold would like to make the Nov. 7 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland with her. That’s a goal also harbored by Lovell for her budding stable star.

“We’ve thought about the Breeders’ Cup, sure,” she said. “How do we get there? She’ll just have to keep showing what she can do. Another big race from her Friday would be great.”

Race 4 is the start of the 20-cent Single 6, which had a jackpot carryover of $95,296 when a four-day race week began Thursday. The other three allowances are all part of the sequence. Here’s a quick look at each of those:

◗ Race 6: Voting Control surely will be favored for Chad Brown and Gaffalione in this $83,000, second-level turf route, even when making his first start since he won a Churchill turf allowance during Kentucky Derby week of 2019.

◗ Race 8: Ocean Breeze will make her first start against winners in this $81,000, first-level race at seven furlongs after blasting off to an 8 1/4-length maiden score on Memorial Day.

◗ Race 9: Brown wades in with the potent uncoupled duo of Balon Rose and Smooth With a Kick in this $81,000, first-level turf mile for fillies and mares.

Purses for all allowances and maiden specials at Churchill include substantial bonuses restricted to registered Kentucky-breds.

First post every day at Churchill is 1 p.m. Eastern.