Just 30 minutes after Further Ado’s stellar win in the Matt Winn S. (G3), Gun Runner’s Sunday at Churchill Downs got even better when the regally-bred Leading Change rolled to a 6 ¾-length maiden special weight win to become his sire’s 24th lifetime TDN ‘Rising Star’ [WATCH RACE].
Making his debut at seven furlongs, the 3-year-old colt broke from the outside post in the field of 10. Irad Ortiz, Jr. put his mount in third, just off the pace set by Big Jake, who dueled with Find No Fault through a half in :45.13. Leading Change loomed up three-wide coming into the stretch, then put away the pacesetters with a furlong to go.
His time of 1:21.06 on a fast track was less than a second off the track record and earned the bay colt an outstanding Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
The $800,000 Keeneland September 2024 yearling is owned by Wathnan Racing and was bred by WinStar Farm, LLC. Out of Starship Warpspeed, Leading Change is a half-brother to Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner and $2.7 million earner Shedaresthedevil, who foaled a full brother to Leading Change this spring.
