Exaggerator works slow half-mile toward Jim Dandy Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Three weeks out from his scheduled return to the races, Preakness winner Exaggerator returned to the work tab Saturday morning, breezing an easy half-mile in 51.63 seconds over the Belmont Park main track.

It was Exaggerator’s first workout since his 11th-place finish as the favorite in the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 11. Exaggerator is working toward the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on July 30.

Regular rider Kent Desormeaux worked Exaggerator for his brother Keith, who trains the colt. Both Desormeauxs said the work was slower than anticipated. Exaggerator went his opening quarter in 24.99 seconds and his second quarter in 26.70, according to Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch.

“He went a little slower than expected, but I told Kent on the way out [to] just let him cruise around there, it’s his first work back,” Keith Desormeaux said. “He might have overcompensated, but he went nice and smooth and galloped out nicely. It’s a good work to crank him up. We’ll get more serious next weekend.”

Said Kent Desormeaux: “It was sort of pedestrian, but it’s a lot deeper here – it’s the only reservation I can make of a [slow] breeze. He took a nice couple of breaths after, but he continues with his quick recovery, but he didn’t have to recover from much.”

Keith Desormeaux said Exaggerator would ship to Saratoga on Tuesday or Wednesday and gallop a few mornings before working again next Saturday over Saratoga’s main track.

“It better be faster than this morning,” Desormeaux said.

Desormeaux got his first look at Exaggerator on Friday morning after having gone about four weeks without seeing the horse, just one of two 3-year-olds who competed in all three legs of this year’s Triple Crown. Exaggerator finished second to Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby.

“He looks good, he’s put on some weight, his legs are still real clean, he’s still his vibrant self,” Desormeaux said. “He looks like he’s bounced back fine.”

Despite the fact that the Jim Dandy is expected to attract Belmont Stakes 1-2 finishers Creator and Destin as well as Gift Box and possibly Mohaymen, Desormeaux said his horse would run in that race and not the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 31.

“It doesn’t matter who’s coming, I know I got a top 1-2-3 horse in the country,” Desormeaux said. “I don’t think there’s anybody that can beat him when he’s right.”

Last year, Exaggerator won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special at the Spa.