Giant Expectations due for a change of scenery, equipment

Exline-Border Racing, Gatto Racing, and Garrett Zubok's New York-bred Giant Expectations will make his way back to the Empire State for the first time since June 2017 when he lines up in the $200,000 Commentator on May 27 as part of New York Breeders' Showcase Day.

Trained by Peter Eurton, the millionaire son of Frost Giant out of Sarahisittrue, boasts a record of 4-3-4 from 20 starts. Bred in New York by Sunrise Stables, Giant Expectations graduated on a sloppy Belmont main track in May 2017 and followed up one week later with an allowance win, going a one-turn mile on Big Sandy.

The talented 6-year-old chestnut proved his class twice at the Grade 2 level in 2017 with wins in the Pat O'Brien at Del Mar going seven furlongs and the 1 1/16-mile San Antonio at Santa Anita. Winless in four starts in 2018, he finished third in the Grade 3 Ack Ack at Churchill Downs ahead of a rallying fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

A versatile type, Giant Expectations stretched out to nine furlongs twice this campaign, finishing third in the Grade 2 San Pasqual and fifth last out, defeated by a length, in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap when piloted by Joel Rosario.

Eurton said that Giant Expectations will add blinkers for his New York return.

"I'm trying him with blinkers on for the first time," Eurton said. "He tends to get a little unfocused at the head of the stretch. Rosario thought he had a lot more horse [in the Oaklawn Handicap] and he got looking around a little bit and ran fifth, beaten a length. That was brutal."

Giant Expectations breezed six furlongs in 1:13.40 seconds in blinkers on last Monday at Santa Anita while working in company with multiple graded stakes winner Core Beliefs.

"I love the way he's trained up to this race," Eurton said. "I worked him three-quarters the other day with Core Beliefs and he looked wonderful. He worked really good with the blinkers on, he was on the bridle. I'm not looking for him, so much, to stay closer more so just to have him stay focused through the running of the race down the lane."

Eurton said Giant Expectations should appreciate the cut back to one mile for the Commentator as he looks for his first win since the San Antonio.

"I think so," said Eurton. "I know he loves Belmont. We're trying to get a win into him. I know New York-breds are very tough, but I think he loves that one turn. Hopefully, we can show him off in New York a little bit if he ever does go to stud there."

If all goes well in the Commentator, Eurton noted a return to graded company is in the cards and said the horse continues to appreciate his job.

"He's a very easy, good-feeling horse to train. He really likes to train. He's 6-years-old now but he's a sound horse and just a pleasure to be around," said Eurton.

Also expected to line up in strong renewal of the Commentator are Celtic Chaos, Control Group, Honor Up, Mr. Buff, Pat On the Back and Syndergaard.