Undefeated Colt Sum of Success Eyes Breeders' Cup Turf Debut
Sum of Success, an exceptional two-year-old racehorse originating from Gulfstream Park, boasts an unblemished record in three dirt races and is now contemplating a transition to turf. This remarkable colt is currently under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, a prestigious $1 million event scheduled for October 30 at Keeneland. His trainer, Bobby Dibona, in collaboration with owners K Johnston Racing, Michael and Jules Iavarone, and Hopeless Stables, is carefully assessing this potential shift to grass racing.
Despite his consistent success in single-turn dirt competitions, the horse's connections are leaning towards the shorter, two-turn Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf race, which is one mile long, as an alternative to the longer 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile on dirt. Dibona plans to conduct a turf workout for Sum of Success at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream's training annex in Palm Beach County, bringing in jockey Luis Saez to evaluate the colt's performance on the new surface. Sum of Success has triumphed in all three of his starts by a combined margin of 24 1/4 lengths, winning races from five to seven furlongs, including the Express Tour on September 5 and the In Summation on August 10. He achieved an impressive 87 Beyer Speed Figure for the latter, placing him among the top two-year-olds in the country.
Dibona, a Boston native with a distinguished career of 511 wins and over $14 million in earnings, has expressed a strong desire to compete in the Breeders' Cup, a significant milestone for any trainer. He emphasized that despite a recent illness, Sum of Success is recovering well, and the team is not rushing any decisions. Dibona's experience, though lacking a Breeders' Cup starter, includes training graded-stakes winners like Actin Good, Hard Enough, and the still-active Steal Sunshine. He credits his dedicated team and supportive owners for his success, highlighting that he has achieved his accomplishments through hard work and determination rather than privilege. He remains optimistic about Sum of Success's potential and believes the colt possesses the talent and temperament to excel.
This narrative exemplifies the dedication, strategic thinking, and collaborative effort inherent in the pursuit of excellence in horse racing. It underscores the importance of thoughtful decision-making, meticulous training, and a strong belief in one's team and animal. The story of Sum of Success serves as an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance and the aspiration to achieve greatness on the grandest stages.