Another Shot for Exaggerator in SA Derby

Two-time graded stakes winner Exaggerator is among the seven 3-year-olds listed as probable for the April 9 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and trainer Keith Desormeaux believes the Curlin   colt can improve on his third-place finish in the March 12 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).

 

Owned by Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, and Rocker O Ranch, Exaggerator quickly moved from sixth to second on the far turn of the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe but flattened out to finish third behind Danzing Candy and Mor Spirit. In his previous start, the Feb. 15 San Vicente Stakes (gr. I), he challenged undefeated 2-year-old male champion Nyquist in the lane but finished 1 1/2 lengths behind in second.

 

"I don't have any complaints about how the San Felipe set up," Desormeaux said. "He ran a decent middle quarter to make up the distance that he was from off the pace, and he should be able to do that.

 

"The horse is very talented, yet I still can't explain why he didn't finish better. Even if there's more speed in the Santa Anita Derby, it doesn't matter to me. The way my horse ran last time, I hope he does the same thing, except for the finish. I can't explain why he didn't finish."

 

Exaggerator, a $110,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase, last year won the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga Special (gr. II) and the 1 1/16-mile Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III). In between those two races he finished second in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (both gr. I).

 

He has earned $1,071,120 in eight starts.

 

As of March 27, track officials listed the following as probable for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby: Danzing Candy (jockey Mike Smith), Mor Spirit (Gary Stevens), Exaggerator (Kent Desormeaux), Uncle Lino (Fernando Perez), Smokey Image (Victor Espinoza), Iron Rob (Stewart Elliott), and Denman's Call (Rafael Bejarano).