Change of Control Prevails in Soggy Franklin County

Graded stakes winner Change of Control 's previous experience on wet turf served her well Oct. 15 at Keeneland where she prevailed in a downpour in the $150,000 Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes (G3T).

Perry Harrison's 5-year-old daughter of Fed Biz   stalked pacesetter and longshot Ambassador Luna  in the 5 1/2-furlong test, easing forward from fourth at the opening quarter, to third after another eighth, to second at the top of the stretch. She rolled past Ambassador Luna to win by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:05.89 on a soft track. She paid $14.60 for the win.

"It was a little tough," said jockey Colby Hernandez, who has been aboard Change of Control for 15 of her 30 lifetime starts. "When we broke out of the gate, I looked over and she was a little in front, but you couldn't see that good out there. But she broke very sharp; I was able to get in a good position and then sit and wait, and when I called on her she finished up strong."

Trainer Michelle Lovell, who has been the mare's conditioner since her third career start, said breaking from the outside post helped Change of Control get into position early.

"I told Colby to let her break as quick as she can and not take anything away because we knew there would be some speed in there," Lovell said. "We could not see much but that looked like that's what happened. She's been so classy and so talented, and she just gives so much every single time we put her in the gate, so I love her very much. She's been awesome."

Even-money favorite and group 1 winner Campanelle , who races for Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables, finished third by a neck despite a troubled trip. 

"(Jockey Joel Rosario) said she got smashed on the backside and shuffled all the way back to last," said trainer Wesley Ward. "He was patient, and she got a lot of muck in her face. I was proud of her because she came with a big run."

Ward said the plan with Campanelle is to get back to Royal Ascot, where she won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) in 2020. Following that win, she captured the Darley Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville. She won the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot in June.

Change of Control came into the Franklin County with a solid record on sloppy ground. With this stakes win, she now has a 3-2-1 record on wet turf out of 11 starts. Those starts included a win this spring at Keeneland on yielding turf in the Giant's Causeway Stakes, also at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Harrison claimed Change of Control for $50,000 when she made her racing debut at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 22, 2018, for Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown. She was sixth in her debut and would not win until her fifth start, which was also her first race as a 3-year-old. She became a winner going six furlongs on the main track at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots—in the slop. Two races later she became a black-type winner in the Mamzelle Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, which was her first start on the grass. All except for three races since then have been on the grass.

"She didn't let the cat out of the bag for quite awhile that she is as good as she is, but it took a lot of patience and timing and letting her grow up. She is as honest as they come," said Lovell. "I don't put a lot of pressure on her. I let her come along. I don't work her every week. She likes to be fresh, so it has worked well for us."

The Franklin County was Change of Control's second grade 3 win. She won the Intercontinental Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park June 3 and then was third in the Royal North Stakes (G2T) at Woodbine. The mare now has an 8-6-6 record from 30 starts and earned $656,775.

John O'Meara bred Change of Control in Kentucky out of the multiple stakes-placed Quiet American daughter America's Blossom. The mare has produced three winners from four runners, with Change of Control her only black-type performer. America's Blossom has a yearling colt by Karakontie   and foaled a filly by Karakontie in late May this year.