The venue for the 2018 edition the John Henry Stakes may have been different, but the result was the same as 2017 as Big Changes charged from off the pace to successfully defend his title in the John Henry Stakes 7 July. Unlike last year, when it was held at Louisiana Downs, the current edition was run at Evangeline Downs.
Sent off as the heavy favorite in the field of eight, the gelded son of Midshipman stalked the early pace set by longshot Itsthebourbontalkn. Big Changes swept to the lead in the stretch and had plenty left in the tank to hold off the late bids of both Mageez and In The Navy (also by Midshipman).
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, Midshipman is represented by the talented three-year-old filly, Sassy Sienna, winner of the G3 Fantasy Stakes earlier this season. Midshipman is also the sire of Stakes winners Firstmate, Slip The Cable and In The Navy Now.
