Chad Summers, a seasoned trainer, had been on the verge of retiring due to the numerous challenges in the racing world. However, the arrival of Gold Square's Filoso changed everything. This promising 2-year-old horse brought a new lease of life to Summers and his team.

A Horse's Impact on a Trainer's Career

Early Days and Promise

The son of City of Light, out of the Bodemeister mare Kenda, was purchased for $210,000 as a yearling. Owner Al Gold, with high hopes, named him after a dear friend, Louie Filoso. Summers expressed his excitement, saying, "He's a naturally talented horse, which gives us a lot of excitement about the future. When you are around good horses like I have the last 20 years, you know a good one when you see it."This colt is all set to make his fourth start on Saturday in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs. The selection of this race and its venue shows the level of Summers' enthusiasm. He aims to give the youngster a race over the track with an eye toward the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

Progress and Setbacks

Like all juveniles, Filoso is still a work in progress. In his debut going six furlongs at Saratoga on July 20, he rallied but ran out of ground and finished fourth. But in his second start at the same track over one mile, he got the extra distance he needed and won by 3 1/2 lengths with jockey Dylan Davis.In the Oct. 5 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland, he took a major step up. With Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard for the first time, Filoso unleashed a powerful closing kick and rallied from far back to finish third behind runaway pace-setter East Avenue and Ferocious in the Grade 1 contest. Gold noted that Filoso finished 9 1/2 lengths behind East Avenue and views the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club as an important gauge of the youngster's ability.

Reflections and Challenges

Summers turned 40 in October and took time for reflection. He questioned whether he wanted to continue training in what he considers an extremely difficult environment. "Toward the end of Saratoga (the meet closed Sept. 2), it felt like I wasn't going to be able to provide my horses, staff, and owners with what was needed," he said. But the performance of Filoso re-energized him and made him keep going.Summers spent last winter in Dubai, where he found it easier to manage horses compared to New York and elsewhere. He criticized the New York Racing Association for not seeking enough input from trainers before announcing that it will race exclusively on a synthetic surface for three winter months when Belmont Park re-opens. He also has concerns about the conduct of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority.However, Summers' passion for horses will keep him at the barn, according to owner Al Gold. "He is not going to leave the game. I really don't think he's going anywhere," Gold said, hoping Filoso will justify his trainer's lofty expectations.