Changing World takes a bow

MIAMI - Like every other 3-year-old in trainer Barclay Tagg's barn, Changing World has lived in the shadow of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide throughout the year. But on Saturday at Calder, Changing World was the one taking all the bows after an impressive two-length victory over 3-2 favorite Campsie Fells in the $100,000 Frances A. Genter Stakes.

Changing World received a perfect ride by jockey Joe Bravo. Rating in midpack off a hotly contested early pace, Changing World advanced to contention approaching the quarter pole, slipped inside the tiring Letthefreedomroar to wrest control in early stretch, then gradually edged clear from Campsie Fells. The latter raced in perfect position behind the dueling leaders, came three wide into the stretch, but proved no match for the winner through the final furlong. Formal Miss had to take up briefly leaving the backstretch, then finished well once clear for the drive to end up another half-length behind in third.

Changing World, a daughter of Spinning World, is trained by Tagg for owner-breeder Samuel H Rogers Jr. She paid $18.80 after covering 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:27.67 over the firm course. Her time established a new stakes record, eclipsing the old mark of 1:27.80 set by Majestic Dy in 1995.

"She has been really sharp coming into this race," said Tagg. "I'd have been very disappointed if she hadn't run well. I haven't picked out anything yet, but there will be plenty of opportunities for her in turf stakes coming up at Gulfstream."

"There was a very honest pace in front of us and it set up perfect," said Bravo. "When I turned for home it was just, 'Show her the way.' "

Plesa-Coa team for another Axthelm

Seven years ago, trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. and jockey Eibar Coa combined to win the $100,000 Pete Axthelm Stakes with Donthelumbertrader. On Saturday the two teamed to capture the Axthelm again, this time with Magic Mecke, who ran down the pacesetting longshot Hear No Evil in deep stretch to win the race named in honor of the late award-winning journalist and broadcaster.

Magic Mecke, like Changing World in the Genter, benefited from a textbook trip. Coa rated Magic Mecke seven lengths off Hear No Evil's extremely fast pace, moved to closer contention while saving ground into the stretch, then eased out and ran down the tiring leader to win going away. Sharp Impact finished third, another 2 1/4 lengths behind Hear No Evil in a full field of 12 3-year-olds.

New York Hero, Ballonenostrikes, G P Fleet, Sir Walter Rahy, Conservation, Ontario, Sircharlesschnabel, Blakelock and Mychampion completed the order of finish.

Magic Mecke was a tepid 3-1 favorite and returned $8.80. He set a new stakes record of 1:27.41, breaking the previous mark of 1:27.60 set by Sonic Signal in 1995. The victory was the third in a row for Magic Mecke, who won the What a Threat Stakes in his previous start.

"He's been very consistent," said Plesa, who trains Magic Mecke for his owner-breeder, the Trilogy Stable. "He's found his place on the turf, and that's where he'll stay," Plesa said. "We'll look at the Gulfstream schedule and see what's next."

"I really had a very good trip," said Coa. "My horse broke sharp, which enabled me to get in good position into the first turn. Then I had the rail all the way to the quarter pole, where I got through. I knew the horse on the lead was going a little fast and coming back to me."