Justify was simply fast on the wettest Kentucky Derby day ever in its 144 runnings. The Scat Daddy colt  posted his final time as 2:04.20, achieved after running alongside Promises Fulfilled. Good Magic chased for second in the stretch. Behind Good Magic were Florida Derby winner Audible and longshot Instilled Regard. My Boy Jack ran on for fifth witnessed by 157,813 at Churchill Downs.

 

Justify is the Hall of Famer Bob Baffert's fifth Derby winner, making him second only to Ben Jones on the all-time Derby list. He likened Justify to American Pharoh and Arrogate “These horses are cut from a different — they’re just so great. And it took a great horse to do what he did today.”

 

Baffert added: “I rank him up there with my top ones.”

 

Justify didn't debut until February, winning his maiden and then allowance races by open lengths. He then stepped up to take the Gr. 1 Santa Anita Derby and secure favoritism on the first Saturday in May. 

 

Hall of Famer, Big Money Mike won his second Derby. “He’s got unbelievable talent, and a mind to go with it.” said Smith.

 

Justify put in his “run” at the beginning by blazing the first quarter mile in 22.24 seconds and a half mile in 45.77. He had enough left to keep the pace despite a slow down towards the end. 

 

(Watch Justify Win The Kentucky Derby)

 

Well he definitely has the predictlment towards it. He is a Triple Crown kind of horse. To win, he needs to repeat this race twice more. He withstood a fast 45-second half mile in the Derby and still won. What are the chances a horse like this can lose in the final two legs, even if the pace is fast again?

 

The Gr.1 Preakness Stakes will be a slightly easier task But Justify’s running style is also fine for the Gr.1 Belmont Stakes as many closers cannot make a run from behind due to the longer distance flattening them out.

 

Of the two strong potential Apollo Curse-busting duo sent out this year, Magnum Moon, failed.

 

Justify showcased a brilliant display of raw talent, when he became the first un-raced two-year old to win the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882.

 

“He broke and put his ears back," said jockey Luis Saez of Magnum Moon. "A couple of jumps after the start, everyone was on top of me and I couldn’t get the spot I wanted. We will see in the next race if he will be any better. I didn’t think liked the track either.” 

 

The superbly-talented Mendelssohn did not get to wear the roses at Churchill.

 

“He just got knocked over coming out of the gate and then he got knocked over again going into the first bend, but he'll be fine," said trainer Aidan O'Brien. "He was never used to getting that much kickback. It's a totally different experience, you know, so, we'll be fine. We'll take him home and give him a break and come back (for the Breeders' Cup Classic). We'll look forward to the Classic with him.”

 

It has been suggested Derby gurus that he would perhaps have been better served running in the 2000 Guineas, or prepping for the Derby elsewhere. Neither Mendelssohn nor Magnum Moon, possessed the speed to keep up early. Although Mendelssohn took full advantage of the golden rail at Meydan with an early pace.

 

The Kentucky-bred son of Scat Daddy out of the Ghostzapper mare Stage Magic became the first undefeated Derby winner since Nyquist in 2016 and the ninth since 1915.

Runner-up Good Magic, ridden by Jose Ortiz finished a head in front of Audible,  under Javier Castellano.

Instilled Regard rallied to finish another 1 ¾ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by My Boy Jack, Bravazo, Hofburg, Lone Sailor, Vino Rosso, Solomini, Firenze Fire, Bolt d’Oro, Flameaway, Enticed, Promises Fulfilled, Free Drop Billy, Noble Indy, Combatant, Magnum Moon and Mendelssohn.