Big Chief Racing’s Exaggerator shipped in from California and put on a brave performance Aug. 16 in the $200,000 Saratoga Special (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course, splitting horses midstretch before surging to victory.Watch Replay
The 2-year-old Curlin colt came off a maiden-breaking score at second asking July 25 at Del Mar to pick up a graded stakes victory in just his third start for trainer Keith Desormeaux.
“He flew out (of California) Monday and vanned out (from Kentucky) the next day,” said Julie Clark, Desormeaux’s assistant. “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.”
Off a step slow at the start from post 1 in a field of six juveniles, Exaggerator was last of all through the early going but benefitted from a ground-saving inside trip under jockey Junior Alvarado while 19-1 shot John Q. Public took the lead.
The pacesetter went a snappy first quarter in :21.60 and a half in :45.19 while tracked by even-money favorite Saratoga Mischief, who had plenty of work to do to take over as the field turned for home.
Hammers Vision got a call when looming with an outside move, but it was Exaggerator who had steadily picked up horses with a sustained rail move, darting between the tiring John Q. Public and the toiling favorite through three-quarters in 1:09.95 to draw off by three-quarters of a length.
“I wasn’t sure if he could get through on the rail and then he burst between the two,” Clark said. “I thought that showed some real class for a baby.”
The final time for the 6 1/2-furlong test was 1:16.39 on a fast track.
“I watched his last race. He won it by a nose but he won gamely,” Alvarado said. “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.”
Off at odds of 9-2, Exaggerator returned $11.40, $4.10, and $2.60 while Saratoga Mischief paid $2.80 and $2.10 with Hammers Vision bringing $2.80. Completing the order of finish were John Q. Public, Holding Gold, and Mid Life Crisis. All runners carried imposts of 118.
Exaggerator, bred in Kentucky by Joseph Murphy from the Vindication mare Dawn Raid, was a $110,000 purchase from the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale when consigned by Warrendale Sales. He improved his record to two wins from three starts for earnings of $163,120.
Courtesy of the Bloodhorse
