b'racingson of the late Scat Daddy, bred in Ken-tucky by Eclipse Award-winning breeder John Gunther. Part of Elliott Walden, president of WinStar, still cannot believe the way everything unfolded.Justify had not run a step when Baffert told Walden he had developed a plan that would allow him to reach the Derby. Walden cautioned him against rushing the top prospect. No unraced 2-year-old had brought home the roses before or after Apollo in 1882.Everything had to be so perfect to make the Derby, Walden said. It seemed like an impossible task when you start Feb. 18.Then Justify swung into action, rattling off three successive victories at Santa Anita, each more impressive than the last. With young Drayden Van Dyke aboard, he dominated that first start on Feb. 18 by 9 lengths.tony leonArdOnce it was clear the stakes would be incredibly high, Baffert turned over the Like Justify, Seattle Slew remained undefeated when sweeping the 1977 Triple Crown. mount to nerveless Hall of Famer Mike Smith, 52. Justify was asked to go two turns in only his second start and respond-ed with a 6-length allowance rout in a one-mile contest March 11.As impressive as that was, Justify still did not have any points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Those would have to come in a grade 1 acid test against a burner named Bolt dOro in the 1 18 -mile Santa Anita Derby April 7. He aced the test by three lengths.As impressive as all of that was, Justify still had to overcome the dreaded Curse of Apollo in the Kentucky Derby. Hall of Famers Coaltown (second, 1948), Forego (fourth, 1973), and Curlin (third, 2007) were not ready to compete at 2 and seem-ingly paid an inevitable price in the most important race of their lives.Justify ran against that backdrop of failureand, boy, did he run!Smith was unapologetic for an opening AdAM cogliAneSe/nyrAhalf-mile that went in a blistering :45 35on a sloppy track pelted by record Derby Day rain. Youve got to let a fast horse be fast sometimes, he said afterward.Yes, the pace was torrid. But Smith felt In one of racings greatest rivalries, Affirmed and Alydar ran 1-2 throughout the three legs of the 1978reassured by the horses seemingly effortless Triple Crown. motion.14 03_TripleCrown_use.indd 14 3/21/19 9:47 AM'