Exaggerator

Exaggerator (foaled February 5, 2013) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2016 Preakness Stakes. Racing as a two-year-old in 2015, he won three of his six starts including the Saratoga Special Stakes and the Delta Jackpot Stakes as well as finishing second in the Breeders' Futurity and fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The following spring, he finished second in the San Vicente Stakes and third in the San Felipe Stakes before establishing himself as a contender for the 2016 Kentucky Derby with a six length win in the Santa Anita Derby. After finishing second to Nyquist in the Derby, he turned the tables to win the 2016 Preakness Stakes. He ran poorly in the 2016 Belmont Stakes but defeated Nyquist again in the Haskell Invitational. Tactically, Exaggerator was a "closer" – one who prefers to come from behind in his races. Background Exaggerator is a dark bay or brown colt with a small white star and a white sock on his right hind leg. Bred in Kentucky by Joseph B Murphy, he is from the fourth crop of foals sired by the 2007 Preakness Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Curlin, whose other offspring have included Palace Malice and Keen Ice. Exaggerator's dam Dawn Raid showed some good form as a two-year-old in 2007, winning two races and finishing third in the Fanfreluche Stakes. She was a great-granddaughter of Bon Debarras, whose other descendants have included the Queen's Plate winner Niigon. Exaggerator was foaled at Stoneleigh Farm, where his nickname was "Buster." At Stoneleigh, he was well-liked by the staff, reputed to be a well-mannered colt in training, but playful in the pasture, where he would throw a horse toy "Jolly Ball" over the fence at passers-by, hoping they would throw it back in a game of fetch. The yearling colt was consigned to the Keeneland sale in September 2014 as Hip 1473 and bought for $110,000 by Big Chief Racing. After the 2015 Breeders' Cup, the owner of Big Chief Racing, Matt Bryan, brought additional partners into ownership of the horse. A 20 percent share is held by Sol Kumin under the business name Head of Plains Partners. Kumin is also noted as the owner of the mare Lady Eli. Another significant share in the partnership is held by Rocker O Ranch, owned by Ronny Ortoski.