Exaggerator

Exaggerator
Exaggerator prior to the Preakness
Sire	Curlin
Grandsire	Smart Strike
Dam	Dawn Raid
Damsire	Vindication
Sex	Colt
Foaled	February 5, 2013
Country	United States
Colour	Dark Bay or Brown
Breeder	Joseph B Murphy
Owner	Big Chief Racing LLC et al
Trainer	J. Keith Desormeaux
Record	15: 6-3-1
Earnings	$3,571,120
Major wins
Saratoga Special Stakes (2015) Delta Jackpot Stakes (2015) Santa Anita Derby (2016) Haskell Invitational (2016) Triple Crown race wins Preakness Stakes (2016)

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 Belmont Stakes but defeated Nyquist again in the Haskell Invitational. Tactically, Exaggerator is a "closer"—one who prefers to come from behind in his races.

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.