WinStar Farm-bred Leading Change scored in his Graded stakes debut while improving to an unbeaten 2-for-2 lifetime in Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Wathnan Racing’s Leading Change, by Gun Runner, entered the 1 1/16-mile test from a triumphant career debut going seven furlongs in a Churchill Downs maiden event on June 7, earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure for trainer Brad Cox . Winning premier events at the Indiana oval is nothing new to this family, as his multiple Grade 1-winning older half-sister Shedaresthedevil captured the Indiana Oaks in 2020. Both horses are out of the Congrats mare Starship Warpspeed.
Sent off as the heavy 1-2 favorite, Leading Change pressed the early foot of stakes-placed Out of the Woods down the backstretch, before matching strides with the pacesetter around the far turn. He gained a slight advantage at the top of the stretch with a hard-trying Out of the Woods to his inside and a menacing Our Moneyman launching his rally to the outside. Leading Change had enough horse to fend off Our Moneyman in the final furlong, winning by a neck in a final time of 1:41.98. The victory garnered a 95 Beyer Speed Figure.
Following the race, Cox mentioned either the Grade 1 $1.25 million Travers at Saratoga or the Grade 1 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx as possible future targets for Leading Change.
Leading Change now boasts career earnings of $246,696 through his undefeated record. He was acquired for $800,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
