Justify burst through the fog and the wet to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown with great aplomb. This Scat Daddy colt who was unraced as a two year old, broke the Apollo Curse and won the 144th Run For Roses on a wet wet Saturday earlier this month.
He was fully expected to charge through the rain on Preakness Day. Trainer Bob Baffert has never lost a Triple Crown with a Derby horse. Baffert has already confirmed that Justify goes through to the next round in three weeks.
However, it was a tense race nonetheless. “I was never relaxed during the race,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He was in for a fight. I was just praying for the wire.”
“It was like the longest race of my life,” said Teo Ah Khing, chairman of the China Horse Club, which co-owns Justify.
With seven wins, Baffert is for most Preakness victories with R. W. Walden, who won seven from 1875-1888.
It was neck and neck between Curlin colt Good Magic and Justify throughout the 9.5 furlongs. In the final furlong Justify changed a gear, no one knew he had and surged by a head. There were some mid-fielders who also broke through. Good Magic’s half-brother Tenfold who was on the outside throughout the race, landed a respectable third beating Good Magic. Wayne Lucas trained Bravazo was a nose ahead of Tenfold when crossing the wire.
Baffert had said before the race that it was his experience as a Quarter horse trainer which helped him to train Thoroughbreds in such a way that they are able to turnaround without depleting themselves. Ofcourse, he put Bravazo trainer Luckas’ in the same training style bracket. Of course now it all seems to make complete sense.
Before the Preakness, Lukas commented on the difference quality of horses Bob and how that made a difference in their game plan. "I think with Bob, he has run the best horse—that's the first thing (with his Preakness success). He ran the best horse in the Derby … he usually has the best horse, (while) we're trying to get a maximum move forward on horses who are probably lesser quality. It doesn't always work, but we've had pretty good luck with it,” said the trainer.
Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Tenfold is trained by Steve Asmussen, who saddled up Curlin 11 years ago in what turned out to be the tightest finish in Preakness history, winning by a head in front of Street Sense, who came in as the favorite after winning the Derby.
Justify, now 5-for-5 in his career, is headed into Triple Crown at Belmont but the young superstar looked like a horse that has raced five times in 91 days. Will Baffert be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat by freshening the champion colt to bring home the Triple Crown?
1 Justify, 2 Bravazo, 3 Tenfold, 4 Good Magic, 5 Lone Sailor, 6 Sporting Chance, 7 Diamond King, 8 Quip,
Location: Pimlico Race Course,Baltimore, Maryland, U.S, Race type: Thoroughbred, Distance: 1 3⁄16 miles (9.5 furlongs), Track: Left-handed, Qualification: 3-year-old,Weight: Colt/Gelding: 126 pounds (57 kg), Filly: 121 pounds (55 kg), Purse US$1,500,000
Credit: Pallavi Shevade-pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com