Post gives Change Up an edge

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Winning Colors had early speed going long. Conversely, the six fillies and mares in the $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes all tend to show late speed going short.

Change Up, drawn on the far outside in a field of six, is typical of the field. On her best days, the filly sits just off the pace, ready to pounce with a late charge. In fact, that's precisely the strategy trainer Steve Margolis hopes jockey Robby Albarado will be able to employ Monday when the six-furlong Winning Colors is run at Churchill Downs for the fifth time.

"I like the fact we're on the outside," said Margolis, who trains Change Up for her owner-breeders, the Klein family of Louisville. "Robby can sit a little bit of a trip, see how the race unfolds, just kind of ride her off the break."

Pretty Jenny, who posted a mild upset over Change Up in an overnight stakes here last fall, figures to make the pace in the Winning Colors, while Change Up and two of the other likely favorites, Miss Macy Sue and Graeme Six, figure to angle for a prime striking spot.

Change Up, said Margolis, could not be coming up to the race any better than she is.

"She won a salty three-other-than at Gulfstream, then ran a good second to Sugar Swirl" in a Grade 3 race, Margolis said.

In her last race, Change Up forced the pace before fading to fifth in the Grade 2 Madison at Keeneland. "She didn't disgrace herself there," he said.

Miss Macy Sue, an earner of nearly $700,000 for the Roll Reroll Stables, had been a model of consistency before finishing sixth in her last start, the Gradeo1 Humana Distaff on the May 3 Kentucky Derby undercard. Eddie Razo will be in from Chicago to ride Miss Macy Sue, a winner in 10 of 20 starts.

Graeme Six also bounces out of a disappointing effort in the Humana Distaff after having run off a string of impressive races. Julien Leparoux has a return call on Graeme Six, a filly with 10 firsts or seconds from 13 starts.

Gem Sleuth and Adhrhythm complete the lineup.

The Winning Colors, named for the 1988 Derby winner, is the 10th of 11 races on a Monday card that starts at 1:15 p.m. Eastern. After Monday, Churchill goes dark for two days, then racing resumes Thursday.