Exaulted will go straight to Breeders' Cup Mile
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Exaulted, the winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in May but second in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Sept. 2, will have his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
After the recent loss, trainer Peter Eurton said the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Sept. 30 would be considered. Eurton said on Friday that is no longer the plan after conferring with owner Lee Searing.
“We’re on the same page,” Eurton said of his conversation with Searing. “If we come back in four weeks and come back in another four weeks, what’s the purpose? He runs well fresh.”
Exaulted was beaten for the first time on turf in his fifth start on the surface in the Del Mar Mile. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite in a field of 10, Exaulted raced in traffic on the inside on the turn and did not gain running room in time to catch race winner Du Jour who had a better trip. Exaulted finished 2 1/4 lengths behind Du Jour, who also is a candidate for the BC Mile.
The Del Mar Mile was Exaulted’s first start since the Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 29, a win that assured the 6-year-old horse of a fees-paid berth in the BC Mile.
While Exaulted was beaten in his lone start of the Del Mar summer meeting, Eurton’s other runners had combined for 13 wins through Thursday, the best summer meeting for the 66-year-old trainer.
Eurton was tied for fifth in the standings through Thursday, one of six trainers at the meeting with double-digit wins. Bob Baffert and Phil D’Amato were tied for first with 19 wins.
Eurton’s stable has nine horses entered from Friday through Sunday, closing day of the eight-week season.
On Saturday, Eurton has six runners, including Flattery and Tambo in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Mile on turf and Laurent in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.
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