Exaggerator Preps for Juvenile

Not since D. Wayne Lukas sent out the winners of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile in three straight seasons (Capote, 1986; Success Express, 1987; and Is It True, 1988) has any trainer gone back-to-back, but–somewhat improbably–trainer Keith Desormeaux has not one, but two chances, to accomplish the feat Saturday.

“We're going to see if we can get lightning to strike twice,” said Desormeaux, who won last year's Juvenile at Santa Anita with Texas Red (Afleet Alex).

The more accomplished of the duo, Big Chief Racing's Exaggerator (Curlin), tuned up for the Juvenile with a sharp five-furlong drill over the Keeneland main track Saturday morning that went in :59.60, fastest of 10 moves at the distance. With jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. in the irons, the dark bay broke off five lengths behind his company and clicked off fractions of :12.20, :24.20 and :36 before galloping out six panels in 1:13.60 while finishing 10 lengths clear of the workmate.

“The track was perfect, and I thought it was going to be sloppy,” Desormeaux continued. “We were under pressure to get this in with the rain in the forecast and it rained more last night than I thought it would. The work was very nice. He was very smooth, finished strong and galloped out strong. He did all the things that you would want to say.”

A maiden winner at second asking at Del Mar July 25, Exaggerator shipped east and came with a rail rally to take the GII Saratoga Special S. by 3/4 of a length Aug. 16. The $110,000 Keeneland September purchase led in the final furlong of Keeneland's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Oct. 3, but was overhauled late and dropped a one-length decision to Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway).

The barn is also set to be represented in the Juvenile by GI Del Mar Futurity and GI FrontRunner S. runner-up Swipe (Birdstone), who drilled five furlongs in 1:01.20 (18/84) at Santa Anita Saturday.