b'racingSkip dickSteinJustify won the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the crown, in another bravura performance in less-than-ideal conditions. When you get a horse with this kindSkeptics wondered whether the shrink-of talent and a stride like his, its just abouting margin suggested the frenetic schedule When we getgetting into a rhythm, he explained af- was finally taxing the sensational colt, that terward. You get them into a nice, happythe wear and tear would show in the last, rhythm; theyre going to run. defining strides of the arduous Belmont.a good horse,Justify ran the rest of the field off theirThe Test of the Champion instead feet. Good Magic, a game winner of theshowcased Justifys vigor and his wonderful Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) in his prepresponsiveness to Smith. The jockey pushed we know whatrace, could do no better than a well-beatenfor an early advantage before Justify settled second, 2 lengths behind. Xpressbet Flor- into that comfortable, rhythmic stride that we need toida Derby (G1) victor Audible was anothermade him unstoppable.head back. The great ones make it look easy. ThatThe Preakness brought another sloppywas Justify.do. track coupled with a dense fog. With raceIf I wanted him to relax, I just drop caller Larry Collmus relying on NBCsmy hands, Smith said. And if I wanted cameras because his eyes were no match forhim to go, I just squeeze on him a little.the conditions, Justify led at every junc- The breeding rights to Justify, who isBoB Baffert ture. Smith said he eased up slightly beforeout of the Ghostzapper mare Stage Magic, the wire with an eye toward the Belmontwere sold to Coolmore for a reported marathon. They still edged Bravazo by halfrecord of $75 million, including a $15 a length. million Triple Crown bonus. His stud fee 1503_TripleCrown_use.indd 15 3/21/19 9:47 AM'