Exaggerator Draws Seven in 14-Horse Travers

Exaggerator | Sarah K Andrew

Expected favorite Exaggerator (Curlin) drew post seven as a full field of 14 sophomores were entered Tuesday evening for Saturday's GI Travers S. Installed at 3-1 on Travis Stone's morning line, the GI Preakness S. hero was most recently seen besting the likes of Travers entrants American Freedom (Pulpit) and Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) in Monmouth's GI Haskell Invitational S. July 31. “We're happy with the post,” said Julie Clark, assistant to Exaggerator's trainer Keith Desormeaux. “As a come-from-behind horse it doesn't matter what we draw. We just don't want to be too far inside so anywhere in the middle is fine. We love seven.”

The meet's leading conditioner Chad Brown has three chances at a first Travers. He'll send out Curlin S. one-two finishers Connect (Curlin) and Gift Box (Twirling Candy), as well as GI Blue Grass S. runner-up My Man Sam (Trappe Shot). “We're happy with all the posts. We wanted to be inside with My Man Sam,” Brown offered. “It's a wide-open race–there are lots of horses with chances in here. We're just happy to have three chances… This the biggest race in the world for me. It'd be a dream to win it.”

Bob Baffert, whose lack of luck at post draws is well-documented, drew posts one and two, respectively, with flashy 'TDN Rising Star' Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and the aforementioned American Freedom. Late-running GI Belmont S. hero Creator (Tapit) drew the 12 hole, while GII Jim Dandy S. upsetter Laoban (Uncle Mo)–who possesses the opposite running style–will break from 13.

 

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.