Exaggerator to WinStar After Racing

WinStar Farm has entered into an agreement to acquire the breeding rights to Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Exaggerator.

"We're very excited to be able to add a top son of Curlin   to our future stallion roster," said Elliott Walden, WinStar president and CEO. "Exaggerator has been among the best of his class for two seasons now. I love his consistency, his 2-year-old form, and his ability to stretch out and win the Santa Anita Derby. He's won at four different racetracks, East Coast, West Coast, it doesn't matter. Exaggerator is an extreme racehorse, and, physically, he's absolutely beautiful."

Upon his retirement, Exaggerator will by syndicated by WinStar.

 

In the meantime, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender will continue to be campaigned by owners Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, Rocker O Ranch, et. al, and trainer Keith Desormeaux, and at the conclusion of his racing career will be retired for stud duty at WinStar near Versailles, Ky.

 

Exaggerator scored his biggest victory to date earlier this month with a 6 1/4-length romp in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby, stamping himself as one of the favorites for the May 7 Kentucky Derby. His 103 Beyer earned in that performance marks the fastest among all contenders for this year's Run for the Roses.

 

Exaggerator was one of the most accomplished juveniles of his crop a year ago, earning just shy of a million dollars with marquee victories in the Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II) and $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III). He was also runner-up in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) and finished fourth in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Keeneland, beaten three lengths after a wide trip.

 

This year Exaggerator was runner-up to champion Nyquist in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park in his seasonal debut, and was third in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II).

 

An earner of $1,671,120 to date, Exaggerator owns four wins and three other placings from nine career starts. He is out of the Vindication mare Dawn Raid, a stakes-placed 2-year-old performer and half sister to Canadian champion Embur's Song.

 

Exaggerator is expected be flown to Churchill Downs from his Santa Anita base April 26 and scheduled to have his final pre-Derby breeze April 30 at Churchill.