Prior to this year's Saratoga meeting, Curlin had zero juvenile graded stakes winners. He now has two. After coming up with Schuylerville Stakes (USA-G3) winner Off the Tracks, the stallion now has a similarly precocious son in Exaggerator, winner of the Saratoga Special (USA-G2) on August 16.
On pedigree and performance, Exaggerator looks like one to keep an eye on. His dam, Dawn Raid was stakes-placed as a juvenile and is a half sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Embur's Song (by Unbridled's Song) and Grade 3-placed listed stakes winner Ten Flat (by Meadowlake). Broodmare sire Vindication (Seattle Slew x Strawberry Reason, by Strawberry Road) was the American champion juvenile male of 2002 but was bred to run all day, while second damsire Bold Ruckus was a solid sprinter in his own racing days and a perennial Canadian champion sire. Second dam Embur Sunshine took after her sire, but her broodmare sire is The Minstrel, winner of the 1977 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) and Irish Sweeps Derby (IRE-G1). There is a nice balance between speed and stamina elements in this pedigree that gives Exaggerator a good chance of continuing to improve as he matures and the distances stretch out.
Exaggerator's race also showed that he has the right stuff mentally as well as physically. His willingness to follow his jockey's guidance and split horses is just as important to his future prospects as the agility and turn of foot he displayed.
As for Curlin, the emergence of two good juveniles can only improve an already rising reputation as a sire. If these two youngsters continue to improve---and if more good runners keep coming in a year that already promises to be Curlin's best yet---expect the Lane's End stallion to be standing next year for more than the US$35,000 he now commands.
On pedigree and performance, Exaggerator looks like one to keep an eye on. His dam, Dawn Raid was stakes-placed as a juvenile and is a half sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Embur's Song (by Unbridled's Song) and Grade 3-placed listed stakes winner Ten Flat (by Meadowlake). Broodmare sire Vindication (Seattle Slew x Strawberry Reason, by Strawberry Road) was the American champion juvenile male of 2002 but was bred to run all day, while second damsire Bold Ruckus was a solid sprinter in his own racing days and a perennial Canadian champion sire. Second dam Embur Sunshine took after her sire, but her broodmare sire is The Minstrel, winner of the 1977 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) and Irish Sweeps Derby (IRE-G1). There is a nice balance between speed and stamina elements in this pedigree that gives Exaggerator a good chance of continuing to improve as he matures and the distances stretch out.
Exaggerator's race also showed that he has the right stuff mentally as well as physically. His willingness to follow his jockey's guidance and split horses is just as important to his future prospects as the agility and turn of foot he displayed.
As for Curlin, the emergence of two good juveniles can only improve an already rising reputation as a sire. If these two youngsters continue to improve---and if more good runners keep coming in a year that already promises to be Curlin's best yet---expect the Lane's End stallion to be standing next year for more than the US$35,000 he now commands.
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