Leading Change skips the Breeders’ Cup Classic with main objective set for 2027

The undefeated winner of the Travers Stakes (G1) will bypass a clash against older horses this season and is set to return in the Clark Stakes (G2) on November 27 at Churchill Downs; Wathnan Racing is targeting the Dubai World Cup(G1) with a long-term focus on next year's Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Leading Change won the Travers Stakes (G1) with just three career starts under his belt, and Wathnan Racing decided that a talent of his caliber warrants patience over pressure. The son of Gun Runner will bypass the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland and will not compete again until November 27, when he targets the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

The decision removes one of the most intriguing 3-year-olds of the American season from the Classic, but it aligns with a far more ambitious, long-range strategy.

Case Clay, racing manager for Wathnan Racing, explained that the overarching goal is to preserve the colt for his 4-year-old campaign, placing the Dubai World Cup (G1) high on the priority list and pointing toward the 2027 Breeders’ Cup Classic as the ultimate target.

“The main idea is to take good care of him, keeping in mind what we hope he can accomplish as a 4-year-old. The big dream is the 2027 Breeders’ Cup Classic. We are simply trying to avoid throwing him against these extremely talented older horses right now,” Clay told Daily Racing Form.

Such prudence carries distinct logic when considering Leading Change's sparse race record.

Trainer Brad Cox only unveiled him in June at Churchill Downs, and the response was nothing short of spectacular: a romping 6 1/2-length victory on debut.

His second test came in the Indiana Derby (G3), where he navigated two turns for the first time and was forced to showcase a different brand of courage. Stripped of the effortless journey he enjoyed on debut, he dug deep to prevail by a neck and maintain his unblemished record.

Yet it was Saratoga that served as the stage for his true breakout. Leading Change arrived at the Travers Stakes (G1-2000m) with merely two starts under his belt, stepping directly into the deep end against the elite of his division. With Manny Franco taking the reins for the first time, he answered every question once more to capture the Midsummer Derby by a half-length, leaving established graded stakes winners such as Golden Tempo (Curlin) and Napoleon Solo(Liam's Map) in his wake.

Three starts, three victories, and a G1 jewel as prestigious as the Travers. It was more than enough to tempt his connections into taking on older horses at Keeneland, but they ultimately chose to resist the urge.

The Clark will now serve as a bridge toward 2027 and a initial stepping stone against older competition, avoiding an immediate drop into the deepest pool available.

Should everything go according to plan, several avenues will open up in January. The Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park remains an option, alongside the Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.

However, the roadmap includes an international destination circled in bold: Dubai.

The Dubai World Cup looms as the centerpiece of the first half of his 4-year-old campaign, forming part of a blueprint designed to methodically nurture a horse whose connections believe has barely scratched the surface of his potential.

Leading Change boasts the genetic pedigree to back up such high hopes.

Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, he is by Gun Runner out of a half-sister to Shedaresthedevil, the daughter of Daredevil who captured the 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1). Wathnan Racing landed him for $800,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

That investment began yielding dividends far sooner than expected. Leading Change went from debut winner in June to Travers hero in August, and he remains undefeated. The Breeders’ Cup offered another potential launchpad, but Wathnan chose a different route: saving something for down the road. With just three races in the book, his story may only just be starting.