Leading Change will skip BC Classic, point to Clark at Churchill
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Barring a change of heart by his connections, Travers Stakes winner Leading Change will bypass this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic and be pointed to the Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27 as a springboard to a 4-year-old campaign in 2027.
Case Clay, racing manager for Wathnan Racing, which owns Leading Change, said the Clark could lead to a race in early 2027 -- perhaps the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January or an early-season stakes at Fair Grounds such as the Louisiana Stakes in January or Mineshaft Stakes in February -- with an eye toward the Dubai World Cup in late March.
“The main thought is we really want to take good care of him with a focus on what we hope he can do as a 4-year-old with the ultimate dream being the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2027,” Clay said Monday. “We’re just trying to not bang heads with these super-talented older horses this year.”
Among the 3-year-olds to have won the Clark in recent years were Gun Runner (2016) and Magnitude (2025). Both of those horses, trained by Steve Asmussen, came back as 4-year-olds to run in the Dubai World Cup, with Gun Runner finishing second to Arrogate and Magnitude defeating Breeders' Cup Classic winner Forever Young.
Leading Change, a son of Gun Runner, defeated Preakness winner Napoleon Solo and Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo to take the Grade 1 Travers in just his third career start. He remained in Saratoga until the end of the meet in an attempt not to avoid the heat at his home base at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Leading Change, trained by Brad Cox, has resumed training at Churchill.
“He’s doing great and feels really good under the rider,” Clay said. “We’re excited.”
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