Exaggerator confirmed for Pennsylvania Derby after Churchill workout

Big Chief Racing LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC and Rocker O Ranch LLC’s Preakness Stakes (Grade I) victor Exaggerator breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (GII) at Parx Racing on Sept. 24.

Churchill Downs clockers caught the son of Curlin in fractions of :12, :24, and :36 before galloping out in six furlongs in 1:13.60 and seven-eighths of a mile in 1:27. Brian Hernandez Jr. was aboard for the move, which was the fastest of 37 works at the distance.

“He went well,” said Hernandez, who breezed Exaggerator twice before as a 2-year-old. “He came back good and everything. He just cruised around to the five-eighths (pole) and he just went around on his own like the pro that he is and I let him cruise along.”

Trainer Keith Desormeaux was on hand for the work and confirmed that the horse would ship to Parx Racing on Wednesday.

“Everything went beautifully,” Desormeaux said. “The time was right, he finished strong and he galloped out strong. He’s not winded and that’s a beautiful thing but that’s what good horses get you. It’s hard to screw up a good horse.”

Exaggerator, who finished second to Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), will likely face Derby winner again in the Pennsylvania Derby along with the Derby’s third-place finisher Gun Runner. This will be the third showdown between the Derby’s Top 3 finishers who last faced one another in a muddy renewal of the Haskell Invitational (GI) at Monmouth Park on July 31when Exaggerator splashed to a victory.

Source: Churchill Downs