Undefeated GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. hero Justify (Scat Daddy) logged his first official workout since prior to the Derby when breezing a half-mile in a sharp :46.80 Tuesday at Churchill Downs in preparation for his run at the Triple Crown in the June 9 GI Belmont S. (click for video). The move was the fastest of 43 recorded at the distance.
With trainer Bob Baffert in attendance, the chestnut breezed at 7:30 a.m. with jockey Martin Garcia aboard through splits of :12, :23.60 and :35.20 before galloping out five furlongs in :59.60 over the fast main track, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.
“I was hoping for that kind of work,” Baffert said. “I wish the race were this week. We've got another week to go, but I think we're in great shape. I feel pretty strong that he's not going backward on us, he's moving forward. I was surprised by the time and how easy he was doing it. We let him gallop out a little bit just to make sure he pulled up down there where [assistant trainer] Jimmy [Barnes] was. He stopped, took a deep breath and he was happy when he turned around.”
Justify strictly galloped in between his runs in the Derby and Preakness and had done so since winning the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, but Baffert said he knew the colt was ready to do more after watching him train forwardly Monday.
“I knew yesterday the way he galloped, he was ready to do something,” Baffert related. “He was pretty anxious and the day before, he couldn't do much with the rain. This week, with the rain coming, we're not going to be doing too much. I just wanted to make sure we got a little air into him.”
The Hall of Fame conditioner compared Justify's energy to his last charge to sweep the Derby and Preakness, who Baffert visited Monday.
“American Pharoah looked like that,” he said. “He looked really good and in great shape. He's moving forward and held his weight for being a massive horse. I went to see Pharoah yesterday and I was really emotional when I was there. I asked him if it was okay if another horse broke his record and he didn't seem to have a problem with it.”
Baffert added that Justify will have one more breeze in advance of the Belmont, likely next Monday.
Also working Tuesday was another Baffert hopeful for the Belmont, Restoring Hope (Giant's Causeway). The Gary and Mary West-owned chestnut went seven furlongs in 1:26 flat (1/1) with Florent Geroux aboard. Third in the GII Wood Memorial S., Restoring Hope most recently finished 12th in the GIII Pat Day Mile S. on the Derby undercard.
“I thought he worked really well,” Baffert said. “He's a really competitive horse and is honest on the track. We were disappointed with how he ran in the Pat Day Mile, but I don't think he liked the sloppy track.”
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