Exaggerator to have one breeze before Belmont; Nyquist doing well

Edited Press Release

Preakness S. (G1) winner Exaggerator jogged two miles over Pimlico’s main track on Wednesday and walked the shed row Thursday morning as he continues to prepare for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont S. (G1) on June 11.

“He walked today and he’ll van to Belmont on Sunday,” said trainer Keith Desormeaux, who arrived back in Southern California Wednesday night. “It’s not that far to Belmont. He’ll be on the van about eight or nine hours.

“We’re gonna breeze him one time, probably five-eighths, before the race. He’ll either work a week from Saturday (June 4) or the following Tuesday (June 7).

“I’ll go back for the work and I’m still thinking about whether or not to send (regular rider) Kent (Desormeaux) in to breeze him, or just have Aaron Gryder get on him. Aaron’s already there and he knows my horses and he knows me.

“As far as the horse is concerned, everything’s pretty basic. He has no issues and there’s nothing (physical) we’re having to deal with. He’s a pleasure to train.”

Champion Nyquist, who held Exaggerator to second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) before suffering his first defeat when third in last Saturday’s Preakness, is doing well. The bay son of Uncle Mo will miss the final leg of the Triple Crown due to a temperature that surfaced after soon after the Preakness.

“He has no temperature right now, his blood looks good, so we’re very happy with the way things are going back there,” trainer Doug O’Neill said Thursday morning at Santa Anita.

“I don’t know what will happen next (as far as plans for future races). We’ll bring him back (from Maryland) June 5 so we’ll kind of play it by ear from there.”

Exaggerator photo courtesy of Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club