Exaggerator Shows Class in Saratoga Special Score

Exaggerator edged away late to win the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course. (Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA)
Exaggerator rallied through a narrow opening in between horses in the stretch and then outfinished heavily favored Saratoga Mischief for a three-quarter-length victory in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Keith Desormeaux for owner Big Chief Racing Stable, Exaggerator shipped in from Del Mar for the race and made the trip worthwhile for his connections with a powerful late bid.
After dropping back to last of six in the early running of the 6 ½-furlong race for 2-year-olds, Exaggerator had plenty of gas in the tank approaching the stretch, It didn’t hurt that a blistering opening quarter-mile by John Q. Public had taken some of the fight out of the leading pack, including Saratoga Mischief, who was second through a sprightly half-mile in :45.19.
Exaggerator looked eager to strike in early stretch but encountered some traffic, but when jockey Junior Alvarado guided him through an opening to clear running room, the Curlin colt capitalized. He drew alongside Saratoga Mischief from the inside and gradually wore him down in the final furlong to prevail.
“I watched his 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,” Alvarado said. “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 STRIKES IN SARATOGA SPECIAL

Photo by Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Exaggerator completed the race in 1:16.39 for his second win in three starts. He entered the race off of a rallying victory at Del Mar on June 25 and exited the Saratoga Special a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Oct. 31.
“I wasn’t sure if he could get through on the rail and then he burst between the two,” said Julie Clark, assistant to Desormeaux. “I thought that showed some real class for a baby.”
Many fans will remember a talented closer from the barn of Desormeaux named Texas Red shined in last year’s Juvenile. Texas Red is on target for the Travers Stakes on Aug. 29.
Bred in Kentucky by Joseph B. Murphy, Exaggerator is from the fourth crop of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin. His dam (mother) is stakes-placed winner Dawn Raid, by Vindication. Exaggerator returned $11.40 for a $2 win bet as the co-third betting choice in the Saratoga Special field.
For an Equibase chart, click here.