Exaggerator likely to skip Jim Dandy after subpar workout

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The anticipated meeting between Preakness winner Exaggerator and Belmont Stakes winner Creator in next Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga likely will not materialize after the connections of Exaggerator said their horse most likely will skip the race.

Exaggerator put in a subpar workout Saturday morning over the Saratoga main track, getting his first quarter-mile in 24.44 seconds and his last quarter in 25.72. He did not gallop out very strongly.

“Exactly the opposite of what we were trying to accomplish,” trainer Keith Desormeaux said. “I would prefer to skip the race than second-guess his readiness.”

Desormeaux said he would talk with the horse’s owners later Saturday but most likely will try to train Exaggerator up to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 27. However, if Exaggerator continues to work below par over Saratoga’s main track, Desormeaux could come up with a different plan.

“I think we need a couple of more works to determine his likability for the surface,” Desormeaux said. “It’s definitely not fitness, it’s definitely not soundness.”

Exaggerator, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in the slop, was one of just two horses to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown. He finished second in the Kentucky Derby before turning the tables on Derby winner Nyquist in the Preakness. Exaggerator finished 11th in the Belmont Stakes.

Exaggerator’s likely defection from the Jim Dandy probably will prompt the connections of Governor Malibu to enter the field. Trainer Christophe Clement said Governor Malibu was to work Sunday morning, after which a decision would be made on whether he would run in Friday’s Curlin Stakes or Saturday’s Jim Dandy.

Governor Malibu finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes.

In addition to Creator, others pointing to the Jim Dandy are Belmont Stakes runner-up Destin, Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Mohaymen, and Easy Goer Stakes runner-up Race Me Home.

Despite Exaggerator’s expected defection from the Jim Dandy, trainer Chad Brown said he plans to run both Gift Box and Connect in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes.

The Curlin, like the Jim Dandy, is run at 1 1/8 miles. The Curlin is for 3-year-olds who have not won a graded stakes at a distance over a mile in 2016. Gift Box has made only one start this year, an allowance victory in May at Belmont Park. Connect, a son of Curlin, has won both of his starts this year, including an allowance at Belmont on the Belmont Stakes card.

On Saturday, Gift Box and Connect worked a half-mile together in 49.41 seconds, galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.66 and six furlongs in 1:15.
For the second straight week, Gift Box did not get hot in his workout, as he had in drills July 2 and July 9.

Gift Box “has cooled down; he looked good,” Brown said. “He didn’t look hot at all; really pleased with this horse. Connect’s done equally as well since his last win. They both galloped out extremely well.”

Others pointing to the Curlin include Dolphus, a half-brother to Rachel Alexandra; Forever d’Oro, Majesto, and Swipe. Possibilities include Voluntario and one of the following from Todd Pletcher: Ready Dancer, Unbridled Daddy, and Uncle Vinny.