Exaggerator and Nyquist to Renew Rivalry at Belmont Stakes

ENLARGE

Exaggerator, shown above with jockey Kent Desormeaux at the Preakness Stakes, may be on his to way emulating his sire, Curlin, who finished third in the 2007 Derby but became that year’s champion three-year-old and a two-time Horse of the Year. Photo: Rob Carr/Getty Images

Exaggerator’s win in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday ensured that there will be no Triple Crown this year, but it hasn’t removed all the drama from the season ahead.

While this could mark the start of an extended rivalry with Nyquist, the Kentucky Derby-winning colt, Exaggerator may also be on his to way emulating his sire, Curlin, who finished third in the 2007 Derby but became that year’s champion three-year-old and a two-time Horse of the Year.

The next step for both horses is the Belmont Stakes. Exaggerator’s trainer Keith Desormeaux signaled no hesitation about heading to the Belmont: “I’ll be there with bells on,” he said. Nyquist’s ownership team announced Sunday morning that their horse will head to Belmont on Monday and, if all remains well, will race on June 11.

Both horses already have stud deals locked up, but more races between the two would settle a lingering question about Exaggerator’s win in the mud: Was it down to the track or the horse?

Exaggerator clearly relishes a splash, having also won the Santa Anita Derby on a sloppy track. But heading into the Preakness, the horse had lost four times to Nyquist, who had been undefeated in eight starts before Saturday. Nyquist was the favorite, a Derby-winner with a Triple Crown on the line.

Trainer Doug O’Neill admitted that status may have affected his strategy for Saturday’s race: “Him going fast early was really my idea, thinking ‘He’s the best horse, take it to them.’ If we’re going to get beat, let’s get beat being aggressive.”

But when the rain came, Exaggerator stole the thunder. “I hope it’s not only because of the muddy track,” said Desormeaux.

Jockey Kent Desormeaux, brother of the trainer, said the conditions factored in but so did a dream trip and knowledge of the track.

Exaggerator’s pedigree may have helped, too. His sire, Curlin, won the 2007 Preakness and was beaten by a head in the Belmont, but went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He followed up in 2008 with five wins in seven starts. His stallion career began the next year, and his stud fee today is $100,000, among the highest in the U.S.

Exaggerator could even improve on his father’s record by winning over the Belmont’s challenging distance of one and a half miles. “When Kent really asked him to run,” said the trainer, “he had plenty left.”

Write to Pia Catton at [email protected]