Change is coming: Indiana Derby success for Wathnan colt on second start

Leading Change remains unbeaten after his stylish victory in the G3 Indiana Derby on just his second start. 

The Gun Runner colt has looked rather special from the get-go and was awarded a 92 Beyer speed figure, as well as being named a TDN Rising Star, for his debut performance at Churchill Downs, where he won by six lengths over seven furlongs.

Pitched straight into Graded Stakes company for his reappearance at Horsehoe Indianapolis, the half-brother to G1 Kentucky Oaks heroine Shedaresthedevil won impressively for trainer Brad Cox and will surely be moving up to Grade 1 company himself before too long. 

‘It was definitely a bit of an unknown with going straight from a maiden race to a Grade 3 for a three-year-old, running against seasoned horses,” said Cox, who also noted that Leading Change had “held his own” in occasional fast work against his illustrious barn-mate and fellow Wathnan Racing colt Commandment, the GI Florida Derby winner who was also runner-up in last month’s GI Belmont Stakes.

Tracking the early leader Out Of The Woods, Leading Change kept pace with the frontrunner as they both drew well clear of the field before he made his challenge three furlongs from home, holding off the late charge of Our Moneyman to land the spoils.

Cox added, “He stayed on well to dig down that last bit, keep his head in front, show his talent, his class, his determination.”