Kentucky-bred Exaulted stamped his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup with an authoritative score in the Shoemaker Mile S. (G1), a “Win and You’re In” for the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
Ridden by Juan Hernandez, the son of Twirling Candy stalked the early pace three-wide early. He made a menacing move toward the leaders three-wide into the lane and cleared his rivals with a furlong remaining. He held well under a drive and defeated a hard-charging Irideo (ARG) by a half-length in the end. The win made it consecutive graded stakes scores for Exaulted who annexed the American S. (G3) at Santa Anita in his previous start and is undefeated in four 2023 outings. Now a winner in five of 15 lifetime starts, Exaulted has earnings of $603,660.
“This horse has been improving every race,” said Hernandez. “He is always in a good position. He broke really sharp today, and I took him back. At the three-eighths, I asked him to pick it up and it was time to go. I passed a horse to get the lead and he didn’t let the other horses pass him. Peter Eurton has done a really good job with this horse. This horse really loves the turf, so maybe the turf has been the difference.”
Owned by C R K Stable and trained by Peter Eurton, Exaulted was bred in Kentucky by Jack Swain III. A $200,000 graduate of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2018, Exaulted is produced from the Gilded Time mare Gilded Miracle.