The ultimate equipment change gives Surveillance a new look

It’s a rare horse that can win a maiden race, a first-level allowance, and a second-level allowance in consecutive starts. The 5-year-old gelding Surveillance has done so at the Fair Grounds meet while changing surfaces and distances, and after losing nine times in a row to start his career.

Keith Desormeaux, who trains Surveillance and owns him in partnership with Big Chief Racing and Rocker O Ranch, cut Surveillance back from a longer trip starting Jan. 1, a move that produced a turf-sprint maiden win, a dirt-sprint first-level allowance win, and, on March 10, a very nice second-level dirt allowance win.

It was a different sort of cut – gelding – that permitted Surveillance to go on this streak.

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“He was an absolute rogue. There were times I could not train him, where he’d just put his feet in the ground,” Desormeaux said. “We tried training him on the Ellis Park soccer fields, let Becky Maker train him at her place in Kentucky. Finally, we made the ultimate decision. He thinks he owns the world now. He’s showing some real ability.”

Surveillance might be ready to try stakes competition, said Desormeaux, who could also look for a third-level allowance race in April at Keeneland.

◗ A first-level allowance race at 1 1/8 miles on turf tops a modest Sunday card. California Holiday, fresh off a second-start maiden win, is the pick at a price.