Connections Still Buzzing Over Exaggerator
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There was plenty of buzz left over at trainer Keith Desormeaux's barn Monday morning, following the impressive performance of 2-year-old Exaggerator in winning Sunday's Grade 2 Saratoga Special.
"Is it uncool to be still super excited?" said Julie Clark, assistant trainer to the California-based Desormeaux. "He's great. I walked him this morning myself, and he ate up and he doesn't look drawn. He wasn't totally sharp, but he walked with confidence and seemed happy."
Making his first start on the East Coast, Exaggerator showed maturity beyond his years by squeezing past favored Saratoga Mischief along the inside in deep stretch to win in his stakes debut.
"I watched the replay and they zeroed in kind of right when he found a spot and burst through there," Clark said. "It looked so professional. He doesn't really give you that indication in the barn that he's carefree about things like that."
While the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful at seven furlongs September 7 hasn't been ruled out, Clark said the final decision lies with Desormeaux.
"It's going to be Keith's choice," she said. "I think he wants to try to get a little more distance next time to get more of a prep for the Breeders' Cup, but who knows. Keith will pull anything out of his hat."
Meanwhile, meet-leading trainer Todd Pletcher said Saratoga Mischief was doing well following his runner-up effort. Pletcher already has Grade 3 Sanford winner Uncle Vinny pointed to the Hopeful.
"He came back well. The winner was very good," Pletcher said. "I was pleased with the way he ran; we were just second-best."
"Is it uncool to be still super excited?" said Julie Clark, assistant trainer to the California-based Desormeaux. "He's great. I walked him this morning myself, and he ate up and he doesn't look drawn. He wasn't totally sharp, but he walked with confidence and seemed happy."
Making his first start on the East Coast, Exaggerator showed maturity beyond his years by squeezing past favored Saratoga Mischief along the inside in deep stretch to win in his stakes debut.
"I watched the replay and they zeroed in kind of right when he found a spot and burst through there," Clark said. "It looked so professional. He doesn't really give you that indication in the barn that he's carefree about things like that."
While the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful at seven furlongs September 7 hasn't been ruled out, Clark said the final decision lies with Desormeaux.
"It's going to be Keith's choice," she said. "I think he wants to try to get a little more distance next time to get more of a prep for the Breeders' Cup, but who knows. Keith will pull anything out of his hat."
Meanwhile, meet-leading trainer Todd Pletcher said Saratoga Mischief was doing well following his runner-up effort. Pletcher already has Grade 3 Sanford winner Uncle Vinny pointed to the Hopeful.
"He came back well. The winner was very good," Pletcher said. "I was pleased with the way he ran; we were just second-best."
* * *
Trainer Wesley Ward will send out a pair of runners in Wednesday's $100,000 Bolton Landing for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies at 5 ½ furlongs on turf.
Ward's Bruised Orange and Laxfield Road are both returning to the U.S. after an unsuccessful venture to England for the Royal Ascot meet, following commanding debut victories at Keeneland in April. Owned by Hat Creek Racing, Bruised Orange finished 12th in the Group 2 Queen Mary last out, while Laxfield Road was 15th in the Group 3 Albany for NFL player Wes Welker and Kent Spellman.
Trainer Steve Asmussen will saddle Simple Drama, who broke her maiden at first asking in the slop on June 18 at Churchill Downs. The daughter of Cowboy Cal is owned and bred by Ron Winchell, who has already teamed up with Asmussen to win a 2-year-old stakes race at the meet, the Grade 2 Adirondack with Just Wicked.
Office Drama will go out for trainer Adam Rice, who will look to maintain his perfect record at the Spa, having already sent out two debut winners at the stand with his first two starters at Saratoga.
Celestial Sighting and Little Miss Miss complete the field. Island Saint is entered for main track only.
* * *
Sunday's Low-Roller Handicapping Tournament was dominated by women, with an all-female Top 4 led by Christine Dempsey.
Dempsey, who took home $815 in prize money, finished with a score of $99.90, well clear of Terry Tomeo with $90.60. Tomeo earned $326 for her runner-up finish.
Laura Lawrence and Tina DeMatteo tied for third with a final tally of $80.40 and earned $203.75 for their efforts.
Matt Sinico completed the top five and brought home $81.50.
Source: NYRA Communications
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