Vastly improved since switched to turf, the Pete Eurton-trained Exaulted sat close to the early pace, took charge turning for home, and kicked clear as much the best to take Sunday's $100,000 American Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.
Owned by Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable and ridden by Juan Hernandez, the 6-year-old Twirling Candy horse got one mile on firm turf in 1:33.65.
With longshot Bob and Jackie under Jose Valdivia Jr. showing the way, Exaulted stalked just to his outside and when Hernandez asked him midway around the far turn, he kicked on like horse who's capable of handling tougher competition next time.
“We just kind of ran out of options,” said Eurton. “He wasn't running as well as a 5-year-old…(something) just wasn't right, so I think as a last resort we thought we'd give him a try on the grass. I think (spacing) is the key for him with a long year. He is big, he's heavy…(Juan Hernandez) is just phenomenal, this guy. (He) is riding with no fear, he just so confident in his abilities, and it shows you right there and in many other (cases).”
A winner of two consecutive one-mile turf allowances here on Jan. 2 and Feb. 5, Exaulted, in his first stakes assignment on grass, was pounded down to the second choice in a field of six older horses and paid $5.80 for the win.
Third in both the San Carlos (G2) and Triple Bend Stakes (G2) going seven furlongs on dirt here in March and May of 2021, Exaulted, who is out of the Gilded Time mare Gilded Miracle, has unquestionably found a new home on turf.
In getting his first stakes win in career start number 14, Exaulted picked up $60,000, increasing his earnings to $303,660 while notching his fourth overall victory.
Bred in Kentucky by Jack Swan III, Exaulted was purchased by C R K Stable for $200,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, where Select Sales consigned him.
“We broke a little slow because he kind of moved before we broke, but it worked out fine,” said Hernandez, who got his meet-leading 12th stakes win and 55th win overall, 28 clear of runner-up Flavien Prat's 27. “The other horse went and I just stalked him and I was just really confident in him. He was in the bridle and around the three eighths, I thought I had a lot of horse.
“There wasn't a lot of speed, but the fractions today looked really strong. He's really professional, I just gave him a target and turning for home, I shook the reins and he exploded. He's getting better every race.”
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Argentine-bred Irideo was last turning for home and put in a solid run to finish a half length in front of third-place finisher Bob and Jackie.
Off at 10-1, Bob and Jackie held off 7-5 favorite and fourth-place finisher Du Jour by a neck.
Fractions on the race were :22.71, :46.45, 1:10.17, and 1:21.89.
The post ‘He’s Getting Better Every Race’: Exaulted Makes The Grade In American At Santa Anita appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
