Exulting wins $250,000 Oaklawn Mile in first start after being claimed

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Exulting gave owner Michael Hui an immediate return on his investment Friday when, in his first start off the claim, he won the $250,000 Oaklawn Mile at Oaklawn Park. It was a length back in second to Exclamation Point, who finished a head in front of Pioneer Spirit.

The newly created Oaklawn Mile was run on the penultimate card of the meet that, in a schedule change, now stretches into May. The season closes Saturday with the $300,000 Oaklawn Invitational, which offers a berth into the Preakness, and the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Championship.

Hui claimed Exulting for $62,500 out of an April 13 start at Aqueduct, an optional claimer at a mile in which the horse finished second. Hui said trainer Mike Maker made the call to enter Exulting ($23.60) in the Oaklawn Mile. The horse earned $150,000.

“I will say that Mike Maker knows his way around the claim box,” Hui said. “He said this was a good spot.”

Exulting settled off the pace, riding the rail as Lenstar took the field through an opening quarter in 23.80 seconds and 46.40 for a half-mile, with Exclamation Point in close pursuit. Exulting advanced along the inside on the second turn, angled out in the stretch, and ran down the leaders to win the race that ended at the sixteenth pole in 1:36.74.

Richard Eramia was aboard the winner. Exulting won on a fast track Friday.

Exulting is a son of Tapit who has now won 5 of 17 starts and earned $458,292. He was winning the second stakes race of his career in the Oaklawn Mile.