Second Summer's changes for the better

ARCADIA, Calif. – Two decisions made last winter have changed the career of Second Summer, who won his first stakes in the $200,345 Californian Stakes last Sunday.

Second Summer was gelded and was switched from races on turf to the main track for his 2016 campaign. A 4-year-old, Second Summer has won three of four starts this year and will have his first race in a Grade 1 and his first at 1 1/4 miles in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 25.

“That is the short-term goal,” trainer Peter Eurton said on Wednesday. “The long-term goal is to win it and go for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

Both goals can be accomplished June 25. The Gold Cup at Santa Anita is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering the winner a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic as long as he is nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program.

Second Summer won the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles by a length, closing from fourth in a field of six. The performance solidified Eurton’s belief that Second Summer is best on dirt.

“He looked like he had something left,” Eurton said.

Second Summer, who is owned by Sharon Alesia, Ciaglia Racing, Marc Ferrell, and Slam Dunk Racing, has won his last three starts. Eurton has not reached a conclusion as to whether gelding Second Summer or the surface switch has made the biggest difference. He is not overly concerned, considering the results.

“I’ve never seen a change that drastic,” Eurton said. “I don’t know whether it was castrating him or the surface.”