Front Run the Fed takes Van Clief; Change of Control wins Andy Guest

Front Run the Fed banked some coin and gave owner George Sharp a stakes-winning thrill – and a return on his investment – winning the $153,000 Van Clief Stakes on Monday at Colonial Downs.

Trained by Chad Brown for Klaravich Stables his first 13 starts, Front Run the Fed went through the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age sale last summer, when Sharp purchased him for $440,000. In three starts for Sharp and new trainer Caio Caramori last summer and fall, Front Run the Fed could do no better than sixth, but Monday, running at a 5 1/2-furlong trip short of his best in his first race since October, he was up by a nose over mid-Atlantic turf-sprint stalwart Grateful Bred.

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“I loved that horse for a long time and when he came up for sale, I went beyond the price I was going to pay,” Sharp said. “He needed time off. He had some wear and tear on him. We gave him nine months off, and he paid me back today."

Two races later, Change of Control, a far more established turf sprinter, proved comfortably best in the $153,000 Andy Guest Stakes for older fillies and mares. Getting a three-wide stalking trip under Colby Hernandez, Change of Control ($4.80) beat pacesetting Jeanie B by 1 1/4 lengths, clocking 1:03.72 for 5 1/2 furlongs over a firm outer turf course. Social Chatter won a three-horse photo over Violenza and Goin Good for third.

Change of Control, who made her Colonial debut Monday, was a four-time stake-winner during 2021, when she banked more than $415,000 for owner Perry Harrison and trainer Michelle Lovell. The 6-year-old daughter of Fed Biz and America’s Blossom, by Quiet American, came into the Andy Guest on a five-race losing streak, though tough luck and strong competition – Change of Control was exiting a competitive showing against males in the Grade 1 Jaipur – somewhat obscured the strength of her recent form. Change of Control jumped right into the bridle Monday, tracking the leader while giving up some ground around the turn before pouncing in upper stretch under a patient ride from Hernandez.

“She loves Colby. They have a great connection,” said Lovell.

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Lovell’s favorite in the Van Clief, Just Might, was not so fortunate, breaking flat-footed and finding himself in a claustrophobic spot behind horses rather than on or near the lead, his typical placement. With Just Might, who would finish fourth, unable to produce his best, another 6-year-old offspring of Fed Biz, Front Run the Fed, took advantage. Produced by the Posse mare Lawless Miss, Front Run the Fed had notched his last three wins at distances between seven furlongs and one mile but had just enough acceleration under Irad Ortiz Jr. to get up by a head over Grateful Bred in the Van Clief. The top two were more than two lengths clear of third-place Matta as Front Run the Fed, who paid $7.20, was timed in 1:03.12 for 5 1/2 furlongs over the firm outer course.