Travers Winner Leading Change Completes Workout at Churchill Downs
Travers Stakes champion Leading Change recently completed a training session at Churchill Downs. This accomplished three-year-old colt is being prepared for upcoming races, with his trainer outlining a strategic plan that includes participation in a significant event later this fall. The report also highlights the training activities of several other notable graded-stakes winners, providing a snapshot of recent developments in the thoroughbred racing scene.
Travers Champion Leading Change Sharpens Skills at Churchill Downs, Eyes Clark Stakes
On a recent Wednesday morning, October 7, 2026, at the historic Churchill Downs, Leading Change, the reigning victor of the prestigious Grade 1 Travers Stakes, engaged in a spirited training session. Under the watchful eye of his esteemed trainer, Brad Cox, the three-year-old Gun Runner colt demonstrated his athletic prowess, completing a four-furlong breeze in a swift 50.0 seconds. This performance positioned him as the 39th fastest among 51 contenders at that distance, underscoring his readiness for future competitions.
Leading Change boasts an unblemished record of three wins from three starts. His victorious journey began with a debut win at Churchill Downs in June, followed by a triumph in the Indiana Derby (G3). His most recent and perhaps most notable achievement was a half-length victory in the Travers Stakes. His return to the training track on September 26 marked his first post-Travers workout, a three-furlong breeze also at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Brad Cox has indicated a strategic decision to bypass the highly anticipated Breeders' Cup Classic for Leading Change. Instead, the focus will be on the Clark Stakes (G2), scheduled to take place at Churchill Downs on November 27. This decision suggests a carefully planned campaign for the talented colt.
In addition to Leading Change, three other graded-stakes winners were reported to have completed their workouts on the same Wednesday. Maida (Improbable), a Grade 2 winner of the 2026 Honorable Miss, showcased her speed with a four-furlong work in 48.0 seconds at Laurel Park, the fastest among 37 participants. Her previous workout was 11 days prior at the same venue, and her last race saw her placing eighth in the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga on August 29, under trainer Brittany Russell.
Nu What's New (Munnings), a two-time Grade 3 winner of the 2026 Hanshin and 2026 Oaklawn Mile, completed a five-furlong workout in 1:01.0 at Churchill Training, marking the fastest time among three horses at that distance. This was his first training session since his last race on September 26, where he finished fifth in the Ack Ack (G3) at Churchill Downs for trainer James DiVito.
Finally, Love Cervere (Into Mischief), a Grade 3 winner of the 2025 Glen Cove, worked five furlongs in 1:03.2 at Saratoga. While this was the slowest among four at the distance, it was her initial workout since her victory in the Floral Park at Belmont Park on September 19, where she competed over six furlongs on turf under trainer Miguel Clement.
The concerted efforts of these trainers and their equine athletes highlight the rigorous preparation involved in elite horse racing, with each workout a critical step towards future triumphs.
The recent training updates from Churchill Downs offer a compelling glimpse into the strategic world of thoroughbred racing. It's fascinating to observe how trainers like Brad Cox carefully map out their champions' seasons, making calculated decisions that prioritize long-term success over immediate glory. Bypassing the Breeders' Cup Classic for the Clark Stakes for a talent like Leading Change speaks volumes about the detailed planning and understanding of each horse's unique capabilities. It serves as a reminder that in horse racing, as in many competitive fields, patience and a well-thought-out approach are often key to unlocking true potential and achieving sustained excellence.