Exaggerator busts out in the Saratoga Special

EXAGGERATOR invaded from California, snuck up the rail and stole the Grade 2 Saratoga Special for two year old colts traveling 6 ½ furlongs.

Exaggerator was wisely settled at the back of pack early by jockey Junior Alvarado six lengths off of the pace. Longshot JOHN Q. PUBLIC and jockey Luis Saez set blazing fractions of :21.60 and :45.19, with Saratoga Mischief glued to his flank on the outside. 

Around the far turn, John Q Public retreated and SARATOGA MISCHIEF inherited the lead for two seconds. HAMMERS VISION quickly took on Saratoga Mischief and for a few strides it looked to be a match race. Meanwhile, Exaggerator had quietly made up ground from the back of the pack, inching to third place by the half-mile pole. For a moment, the son of Curlin found himself behind a wall of horses, but he burst through a seam between the dueling leaders. 

Saratoga Mischief and jockey John Velazquez didn’t quit. The team put away Hammers Vision and battled Exaggerator gamely through six furlongs in 1:09.95. Nearing the wire, Exaggerator was just too strong and pulled ahead by ¾ length. The Todd Pletcher trainee Saratoga Mischief finished second, 4 ¾ lengths ahead of Hammers Vision. That one finished 3 ½ lengths ahead of John Q Public.   

Exaggerator’s final time was 1:16.39. He paid $11.40, $4.10 and $2.60; Saratoga Mischief returned $2.80, $2.10; and Hammers Vision paid $2.80 to show.  The $2 exacta paid $24.40; the $2 trifecta offered $77.50 and the $2 superfecta paid $440.50.

Junior Alvarado commented, "I watched his [Exaggerator’s] last race. He won it by a nose but he won gamely. He handled being between horses pretty good, so I knew if I did ask him to go inside, I knew he'd be there. I tried to save ground as much as I could. As soon as I decided to go inside, I thought I had a chance to win the race and he was there for me. He's professional; he lets you do whatever you want."

EXAGGERATOR (Curlin - Dawn Raid, by Vindication) was bred by Joseph B. Murphy and bought at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $110,000 by Big Chief Racing LLC.  Exaggerator is trained by Keith Desormeaux. Julie Clark, assistant to Keith Desormeaux, winning trainer of Exaggerator stated, "I wasn't sure if he could get through on the rail and then he burst between the two. I thought that showed some real class for a baby.

She continued, "He flew out [of Lexington] Monday and vanned out the next day. He got two gallops over the track, so you always wonder if he's still sharp. I'm glad it worked out. We would've liked a little more time, a little more rest, but he's pretty sharp. He's always on his toes and he never really seemed dull."

The dark bay Exaggerator is the third foal, but first colt' produced by his dam, Dawn Raid.  As a two year old she placed third in the Fanfreluche Stakes at Woodbine.  Dawn Raid is a half sister to EMBUR'S SONG, the 2011 Champion Older Female in Canada. Exaggerator’s second dam Embur Sunshine is multiple stakes placed. By a Champion and Horse of the year out of a precocious distaff line, Exaggerator may find up to 1 1/16 miles as his comfort zone, but perhaps with his running style and maturity the colt could handle 1 1/8 miles.

The Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes on closing day, September 7, may be Exaggerator’s next goal, or he could return to California to race in the Del Mar Futurity on the same day.