Giant Expectations gone, but probably not for long

ELMONT, N.Y. – The dominance of California-based horses here recently was not restricted to Belmont Stakes weekend.

Giant Expectations, a New York-bred based in Southern California, shipped to New York a few weeks ago and won two races in a span of 11 days for trainer Peter Eurton. On May 29, Giant Expectations won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race by 9 3/4 lengths. On June 8, he won a statebred first-level allowance at a mile by 2 1/2 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

Eurton said Wednesday that Giant Expectations is back with him in Southern California while he and owners Daniel Gatto and Ryan Exline discuss future plans.

“The owners wanted to get him back here for a while,” Eurton said. “Two races back to back was not easy on the horse, but he came out of it looking really good. We’re going to see what our options are. We haven’t really sat down and penciled down exactly what we want to do.”

Though both of Giant Expectations’s wins came in one-turn races, Eurton thinks the son of Frost Giant can go two turns.

“I don’t see him being strictly a one-turn horse at all,” Eurton said. “I think further is definitely something he can do. Going a mile and an eighth, the pace is easier.”

One race that could lure Giant Expectations back to New York is the $300,000 Empire Classic on Oct. 21 at Belmont. The Empire Classic is run at 1 1/8 miles around one turn.