Derby Dozen: Exaggerator loaded with talent but needs to prove maturity

The physical talent has always been there for Exaggerator. As a 2-year-old, he would bounce out of workouts and races full of energy — but he could also be a giant baby in the mental department.

A read on how much the son of Curlin has matured will come Monday as he is set to face unbeaten Nyquist in the Grade II San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park. Regardless if he upsets the reigning juvenile champion, Exaggerator is the kind of consistent runner who always puts himself in the mix for a good showing.

Exaggerator showed grit and guts in his third career start when he bulled his way between rivals when faced with no racing room at the head of the lane and surged up inside to win the Grade II Saratoga Special last August.

A runner-up effort in the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity and fourth-place run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile followed. His victory in the Grade III Delta Jackpot on Nov. 21 showed a nice dimension as he was hustled to the front by jockey Kent Desormeaux in order to avoid being hung wide on the first turn and kept fending off Sunny Ridge to prevail by a neck.

Owner: Big Chief Racing

Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

Breeder: Joseph B. Murphy

Bloodline: Dark bay colt by Curlin-Dawn Raid, by Vindication

Career record: Six starts, 3-1-0, $983,120

Last start: Won Grade III Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs on Nov. 21

Next start: Grade II San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 15

Potential trouble: Has he improved enough to beat the better-quality horses instead of just holding his own against them?

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 10:06 PM with the headline "Derby Dozen: Exaggerator loaded with talent but needs to prove maturity."