Preakness S. (G1) hero Exaggerator was assigned post 11 of 13 in Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) as the future WinStar stallion looks to capture the final two legs of the Triple Crown following his gallant second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
With Derby winner Nyquist sidelined by a fever, Exaggerator was made the 9-5 for trainer Keith Desormeaux and his brother Kent, the only rider the colt has had in his five starts this year.
“I just told Matt (Bryan, principal of Big Chief Racing, co-owner with Head of Plains) it’s a wonderful post position,” said Kent Desormeaux after the draw. “I can’t see any horses that will cross over on him, be able to establish their position preferably without ever getting a grain of sand in his face.”
Exaggerator’s last three races (Santa Anita Derby, KY Derby and Preakness) have all resulted in triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures; he is the only horse in the race with more than one. His overall record stands at 5-3-1 from 11 starts, with earnings of $2,971,120.
The Belmont is race 11 on Saturday’s card. It is scheduled for 6:32 p.m. ET, and the race will be aired live on NBC.
