OCEANPORT, N.J. >> Exaggerator has done it again, taking charge in the stretch and beating Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday.
Ten weeks ago in the Preakness, Exaggerator handed Nyquist his first loss and ended any chance of a Triple Crown. Nyquist was making his first start since running third in the Preakness, and Exaggerator ran 11th in the Belmont Stakes.
On a rainy day at the Jersey Shore and over a sloppy track, Exaggerator made his usual late run and stormed past Nyquist and American Freedom for a 1 1/2-length victory. The track was a sloppy mess at the Preakness, too,
American Freedom finished second, with Sunny Ridge edging Nyquist for third. Gun Runner was fifth, followed by Awesome Slew. The winning time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.70.
With the win, Exaggerator clinched a spot in the field for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5.
Exaggerator was sent off as the 5-2 second choice behind even-money favorite Nyquist and returned $7.20, $4 and $3. American Freedom, trained by eight-time Haskell winner Bob Baffert, returned $5.20 and $3.60. Sunny Ridge paid $5 to show.
“We’re just so proud of him,” trainer Keith Desormeaux’s assistant Julie Clark said. “There was such anxiety as they came around the turn. To see him accelerate and pull away was awesome.”
A year ago, American Pharoah made a triumphant return in the Haskell after becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.
The vibe was far from the same in the 49th Haskell, but the matchup of Derby winner vs. Preakness winner drew a sizable crowd on a wet, muggy day.
The decision to run Exaggerator in the Haskell was a bit surprising. The 3-year-old colt was training in Saratoga for the Jim Dandy, which was run Saturday. But after a subpar workout, Keith Desormeaux had a change of heart. And Exaggerator was Jersey-bound instead.
And the wet track didn’t hurt his chances for a second win over Nyquist after losing four previous race against the Derby winner.
Nyquist and American Freedom went back and forth on the lead right from the start, with Exaggerator far back in his usual trailing position. Heading into the far turn, Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux revved up his colt and Exaggerator took off. The son of Curlin came out of the turn and seized control in stretch.
There was a foul claim by American Freedom jockey Rafael Bejarano against Exaggerator for crowding in the stretch, but the finish stood after a brief review by racing stewards.
“He certainly likes the sloppy going,” Clark said. “He’s proven himself. Now we have to prove him on a fast track.”
That could come in the Travers at Saratoga on Aug. 27.
