Classy Change of Control scores in Andy Guest * The Racing Biz

Classy Change of Control scores in Andy Guest

Frank Vespe
July 18, 2022

Trainer Michelle Lovell had a successful 2021 at Colonial Downs, winning nine races with purse earnings of over $420,000. That was good for second in both categories.

“We love being here,” Lovell said Monday afternoon.

She lost her first six starts at Colonial this year, but classy veteran Change of Control made sure that the seventh time was lucky. Under jockey Colby Hernandez, Change of Control prompted the pace three wide before powering home to win the $150,000 Andy Guest Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths.

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It was Change of Control’s first win in six outings this year and 10^th from 37 career starts overall. The six-year-old Fed Biz mare has earned $923,725.

Change of Control entered the Andy Guest off a good fourth-place finish – beaten three lengths – in the Grade 1 Jaipur on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Even better: she was drawn outside the speed of the race, enabling Hernandez to find the trip he wanted.

Jeanie B was away alertly to establish the lead, tugging the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.63 seconds over firm turf, with Goin’ Good just a length back to her outside and Change of Control flanking that runner.

As the field turned for home, Change of Control moved to even turns and then powered home to win. Jeanie B held second, a half-length ahead of the late-running Social Chatter. Running time for 5 ½ furlongs over firm turf was 1:03.72.

“She brings her game every time,” Lovell said of Change of Control, who is owned by Perry Harrison. “It’s just good to see her in the winner’s circle again.”

Two races prior, Lovell sent out even money favorite Just Might in the Van Clief Stakes, but that runner was a troubled fourth.

Instead, it was Front Run the Fed, under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who got the money, running down Grateful Bred late to win by a head.

Front Run the Fed – a six-year-old horse by Fed Biz – is trained by Caio Caramori for George Sharp. He now has five wins and more than $495,000 in earnings from 17 career starts.