Can a thoroughbred racehorse be sexy? Sure, why not, and I am here to tell you of one such example. A three-year-old stallion by Maria‘s Mon, Exhi, pronounced [exy], neatly fits the descriptive nickname. Sexy Exhi rolls smoothly off the tongue, and the big boy has the goods to back up the moniker. This past Sunday, the attractive bay Kentucky homebred of owners Wertheimer and Frere, scored a stylish eight length victory in the Victoria Park as the big favorite in the short field. Out of the Polish Numbers mare Soldera, Sexy Exhi completed the 1 1/8-mile distance in a solid 1:50 and 3/5, over the Polytrack surface at Woodbine.
As the photos provided by Keith McCalmont, from Triple Dead Heat, will attest, Sexy Exhi, cast an imposing presence that overshadowed his competition. Carrying 124 pounds, the good looking Todd Pletcher trainee shot to the lead, and from there it was just a matter of what pose he would strike in the winner’s circle. Graded stakes winner Bear's Hard Ten, did make an attempt to disrupt the glamour boy on the far turn, but Sexy Exhi and confident rider, Robby Albarado, turned away his challenge with disdainful ease and widened their lead from there, with little or no urging. It was such an easy win that Exhi could not help but look good, but this is nothing new for the leggy bay. Since being dismissed by Odysseus in his first race of the year in February, Sexy Exhi has been on a major roll.
Exhi embarked on his sexy skein with a victory in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park on March 27th. I got to see him up close at Turfway, and yes, I liked what I saw. The Grade 2 Lexington would be next, and Sexy Exhi would prove as beautiful as the picturesque surroundings at Keeneland that day with an impressive win over a strong field on April 17th. It was north of the border for the handsome colt next and things would only get better, as he knocked out some of the top Canadian three year-olds with a romping win in the Marine Stakes on May 29th. The Victoria Park thus became the fourth straight easy stakes win for Sexy Exhi.
What will be next? It may be time to bring his game back to dirt and test the best sophomore males in America. While many have labeled him a synthetic horse, as all four of his recent wins were on artificial surfaces, I am of the belief that Sexy Exhi is just getting better, much better. With each win, he looks more impressive. He is now a very good horse, and one that has been working well on dirt tracks. I say look out Saratoga. Beware Travers competitors. Exhi is on his way, and as you know, Exhi is Sexy.
He is rather sexy isn't he? Ok, back to serious talk, I have not labled him a synthetic horse, not yet. I refuse to do that until I see him tank on dirt, not saying that he will. Personally, I will wait and see. I agree with you that he has been getting better, but I do also think it may have something to do with synthetics, meaning, he'll still perform well over the dirt, just maybe, not as well. However, I will reserve judgement, until he proves he is one way or the other.
ReplyDeleteI think he'll be just as good on dirt. Always a complete guess when the synthetic vs. dirt conversation comes up with me, but Exhi really looks like a real runner and not just a "surface specialist" to me. He's improving by leaps and bounds it appears and I love his motion, very fluid and graceful.
ReplyDeleteSaratoga could have some major sophomore clashes going on if all the big guns head in the same direction.
I think he may 'bring Exhi back' to Saratoga!
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