Big Changes started the new year off on a winning note when he charged to a one-and-a-half-length victory in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park Jan. 19.
The newly-turned seven-year-old gelding by Midshipman is certainly improving with age. Big Changes really came into his own in 2018, winning three Stakes races and placing in two others, including the G3 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs in November.
Sent off has the heavy 3-5 favorite in the field of six, Big Changes was settled in third and stalked the early leader, Class And Cash through the early stages of the mile-and-a-sixteenth turf contest. He began his move on the far turn, closing in on the leader while racing three-wide.
Big Changes was set down for the drive in the homestretch, as he put away Class And Cash and began to pull away. He eventually crossed the wire one-and-a-half lengths clear of Second Mate, who closed late to get second.
Bred in Florida by Joanne Crowe and Joe Pickerrell, Big Changes is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare, Colorama. He hails from the immediate family of G2 winner Grecian Urn, and Stakes winners Grecian Dart and Dark Shell.
In addition to Big Changes, in 2018 Midshipman was represented by Graded Stakes winners Princess Warrior (G2 Mrs. Revere Stakes) and Sassy Sienna (G3 Fantasy Stakes), two-time Stakes winner In The Navy, and Stakes winners Firstmate and In The Navy Now.
Midshipman is standing the 2019 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $8,500, stands and nurses.
