Justify

Justify emerged as a late-developing Kentucky Derby contender in winter 2018 with two impressive wins at Santa Anita, taking his career debut by 9 ½ lengths and then an allowance optional claiming race by 6 ½ lengths to emerge as a true buzz horse.

After dazzling onlookers with regular displays of brilliance in his morning workouts, Justify faced his first real class test in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Jockey Mike Smith guided him to the front and allowed him to settle into a nice rhythm on the lead. He edged away when multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d'Oro challenged him on the final turn and pulled away to a clear victory to punch his ticket to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, in which he was sent off as the favorite.

In the Kentucky Derby, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith hustled Justify out of the starting gate. He pressed pacesetter Promises Fulfilled from second through a blistering half-mile before seizing command on the final turn. Champion Good Magic rallied to challenge nearing the top of the stretch, but Justify had plenty left in the tank and powered clear on the sloppy track to a dominant win. He became the first Kentucky Derby winner since Apollo in 1882 to win the first jewel of the Triple Crown without a race as a 2-year-old.

In the Preakness Stakes, Justify faced only seven challengers, but Derby runner-up Good Magic returned for a rematch at Pimlico. Good Magic pressured Justify throughout the race as the champion 2-year-old male and the Kentucky derby winner battled stride for stride around the sloppy racetrack. Justify finally began to edge away from Good Magic in deep stretch but he needed to fend off fast-closing Bravazo and Tendfold to remain undefeated. He held on by a half-length from Bravazo, with Tenfold pushing past Good Magic late for third in a thrilling finish.

Justify cemented his place in the history alongside Seattle Slew as the only two undefeated 3-year-olds to complete the Triple Crown sweep when he led from start to finish in the 2018 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets to become only the 13th U.S. Triple Crown winner. 

The Scat Daddy colt was purchased for $500,000 as a yearling and raced for China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, and WinStar Farm. He was trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

Justify was retired in July 2018 to Ashford Stud in Kentucky. To cap off a brief but brilliant career, he was voted Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male at the 2018 Eclipse Awards.