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Preakness winner Exaggerator will be heavily favored in an expected field of 13 horses for Saturday's 148th Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York. With Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist dropping out last month because of a high white cell count, Exaggerator will have a much easier time in the $1.5 million, 1 1/2-mile race.
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Gettysburg, who likes to run out front, was added to the Belmont field Monday, according to WinStar Farm, which owns the 3-year-old.
WinStar, which owns the breeding rights to Exaggerator, also owns Creator, a late runner who is also participating in Saturday's race.
Others expected in the field include Brody's Cause, Cherry Wine, Destin, Forever d'Oro, Governor Malibu, Lani, Seeking the Soul, Stradivari, Suddenbreakingnews, and Trojan Nation.
Jockey Kent Desormeaux, who won the Preakness aboard Exaggerator after finishing second by 1 1/4 lengths in the Kentucky Derby, entered an alcohol rehabilitation center last week but will ride in Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
The 46-year-old Hall of Fame jockey is scheduled to resume riding this week at the Belmont after he arrives from Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah, a treatment center popular with celebrities.
Desormeaux, whose brother Keith trains Exaggerator, experienced alcohol-related issues in the past.
Keith Desormeaux, who paid his dues at race tracks around the country, said he dreamed of training thoroughbreds who could compete in the Triple Crown.
"Looking back on it, those 20 years were great preparation for when I got the right opportunity, meaning with an owner with the resources and the enthusiasm," Keith Desormeaux told Newsday. "I never had that before. When the time came, I was ready."
The 49-year-old trainer got a break when he connected with Texan Matt Bryan at a sale of 2-year-olds in training. Bryan is the principal partner of Big Chief Racing, which co-owns Exaggerator and 20 other horses Desormeaux trains.
"Keith was there trying to pick one out and I could see how hard he was working," said Bryan, who was scouting for a trainer. "I got a really good vibe off him, and we hit it off right away. We were together for about 30 minutes, and in that time I just knew he was the guy I was looking for."
Exaggerator, the son of Curlin, has shown continued excellence and versatility in his career.
Exaggerator is 5-for-11 with three seconds and earnings of $2.97 million. His worst finish was fourth, three lengths behind future Derby winner Nyquist after a rough trip in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
"He broke his maiden at five-eighths, he won the Saratoga Special at 6 1/2 furlongs, and he won the Preakness at a mile and three-sixteenths," Keith Desormeaux said. "If you say he's not versatile, you're not reading the Form.
"He can be on the lead if we want him to be or come from 20 lengths back. As long as he's comfortable, it doesn't matter, because he's got a big late kick."
Exaggerator's only timed Belmont workout is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. ET Tuesday.
