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Wathnan Racing’s Grade 1 Travers Stakes winner Leading Change will not take part in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and will instead make his next start in the G2 Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27, the Daily Racing Form reports.
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Wathnan’s racing manager Case Clay told DRF that the Clark is a precursor to races like the G1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park or the G3 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds in January. The G1 Dubai World Cup is the long-term goal.
“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 told DRF on Sept. 14. “We’re just trying to not bang heads with these super-talented older horses this year.”
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Trained by Brad Cox, Leading Change is undefeated in three starts this year. The son of Gun Runner was victorious on debut by 6 ½ lengths at Churchill Downs in June. In his second start, he captured the G3 Indiana Derby in his two-turn debut by a neck. Piloted by Manny Franco for the first time in the Travers, Leading Change took the 10-furlong Midsummer Derby by a half-length, defeating Classic winners Golden Tempo and Napoleon Solo in the process.
Leading Change was purchased for $800,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. A half-brother to 2020 Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil). Leading Change was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm.
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Read more at drf.com.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 11:17 AM.