Leading Change looks ahead: the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic is not an obligation

Undefeated in three starts following his remarkable victory in the Travers Stakes (G1), the son of Gun Runner emerged in perfect condition from Saratoga; Brad Cox aims to protect his development and has even floated the Dubai World Cup and the 2027 Classic as potential targets

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Leading Change needed just three races to go from a massive prospect to a winner of one of the marquee events on the American racing calendar. However, following his magnificent conquest in the Travers Stakes (G1), Brad Cox has no intention of letting anticipation get the better of him.

The Wathnan Racing colt edged Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) by half a length over Saratoga's 2,000 meters, maintaining his undefeated record and earning a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. Yet, his trainer raised eyebrows by admitting that participating in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)—set for October 31 at Keeneland with a $7,000,000 purse—is far from a done deal.

“Who says we have to go to the Breeders’ Cup?” Cox posited, making his stance crystal clear. “We will talk it over with the Wathnan team. I’m a very realistic person and I look at the numbers. He ran a great race, but he had to fight for the win and proved he can handle a mile and a quarter. We believe he will be very good at that distance for the rest of his career.”

The conditioner is even looking much further down the road. The Dubai World Cup (G1) looms as a possibility for next spring, while he did not rule out aiming directly for the Breeders’ Cup Classic... but in 2027.

“The Dubai World Cup means a lot to Wathnan. We’ll see how he comes out of this race; he will head back to Churchill Downs, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself regarding his next steps. For me, it’s about developing him. Yes, we are looking at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but it could very well be the 2027 edition,” Cox explained.

Leading Change emerged from the Travers without any issues. “He looks good. He was walked and had a good night. He has always been a horse that absorbs work very well and recovers quickly,” Cox noted.

The victory carried special meaning for the trainer, who previously won the 2021 Travers with Essential Quality(Tapit). This time, however, the emotions were different.

“It was one of the most emotional moments I’ve had watching one of my horses run. With Essential Quality, there was pressure because he was Champion 2-Year-Old, had won the Belmont, and was a heavy favorite. This was different. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him make the jump and respond the way we thought he could.”

Manny Franco served as another crucial piece of the puzzle. Leading Change traveled rating on the inside while Napoleon Solo set fractions of 23.66, 47.95, and 1:12.62. As they hit the stretch, Franco angled outward, ranged past Sea Strike (Midshipman), and set his sights on Napoleon Solo, subduing him near the wire to stop the clock at 2:02.98. Golden Tempo (Curlin), winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), finished third.

For Cox, the achievement holds even greater value considering the limited experience of the son of Gun Runner. He made his career debut just 12 weeks prior to the Travers, winning by 6 1/2 lengths over 1,400 meters at Churchill Downs, before prevailing by a neck in the Indiana Derby (G3) during his first route encounter against winners.

His late arrival on the scene was not by design. Leading Change was slated to debut last October at Keeneland, but was scratched that morning after a bone injury was detected, forcing extended rest.

“We always thought he was very good and could take us where we wanted to go. When he encountered that issue, we knew we wouldn’t make the Kentucky Derby. When he returned, he had lost a lot of conditioning, and for a moment there was concern that he might no longer be that same horse. About six weeks before his debut, he began showing that talent we had seen at age two once again,” Cox recalled.

Today, Leading Change shares the spotlight within a formidable 3-year-old crop for the trainer alongside Commandment (Into Mischief) and Further Ado (Gun Runner). Yet Cox hesitated little when setting the hierarchy.

“I always felt he was the most talented horse of the three. Further Ado always worked amazingly well and Commandment is very honest, but Leading Change always stood out.”

A half-brother to Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), Leading Change has already shown that such confidence was fully justified.

Now comes a much tougher decision: strike while the iron is hot and head for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, or manage the immense potential of a colt who, in just three starts, has already conquered the Travers.

Cox appears inclined not to rush him. After all, with Leading Change, the future is only just beginning.