b'eclipse awardsrick saMueLsJockey Mike Smith partnered Justify throughout the Triple Crown and won the elusive series for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.was limitless, but he was on a schedule so under Mike Smith, led every step of thecompressed that even the smallest setbackway in the Belmont Stakes, gaining Triple threatened to derail the Derby dream ofCrown glory by 1 3 4lengths over the late-his owners, who then consisted of WinStarIt was a privi- charging Gronkowski.Farm, China Horse Club Internation- He ran every pole, said trainer Chad al, Starlight Racing, and Head of PlainsBrown. At the quarter pole of the Derby Partners, after original co-owner SF Racinglege to train aand Belmont, I felt very good about my sold its share of his racing rights. horses (Good Magic and Gronkowski) Bafferts opinion aside, Justify stillchances. They both had good trips, but hadnt earned a single point toward gaininghorse like this. they couldnt get to him.a spot in the Derby starting gate 28 daysAfter returning to Bafferts Santa Anita before the Run for the Roses. That wasstable, Justify was found to have filling in when he faced off against multiple grade bob bAFFerT soft tissue around an ankle and was retired 1 winner Bolt dOro in the Santa Anitain July to stand at Ashford Stud, which had Derby (G1). In just his third start, Justifypurchased his breeding rights for a reported toyed with one of the most accomplished$75-$80 million. He will stand his first runners of his generation, defeating him bytook control with a half-mile to run andseason at stud for a $150,000 fee.three lengths. cruised to victory against what was thoughtIt was a privilege to train a horse like To watch Justify handle the crowdsto be the deepest Derby field in years,this, said Baffert, who collected his second and new surroundings at Churchill Downsbettering juvenile champion Good MagicTriple Crown in three years. He is a Derby week, it seemed impossible heby 2 12lengths. He again stared down Goodmagnificent animal, and I wanted to see his carried only three races in his portfolio.Magic through the mud and fog at Pimli- name up there with the greats. He showed Nothing bothered the 1,260-pound colt,co, prevailing over Bravazo by a half-lengthso much raw talent early on and had such and he continued to thrive. Stalking theas jockey Mike Smith held back somethinga great mind to go along with it. On top speed-crazy early fractions of Promises Ful- in reserve for the third jewel. of all that, hes one of the most beautiful filled over the sloppy/sealed surface, JustifyJustify, finally moving over a dry trackhorses ever.68 09_EclipseAwards_use.indd 68 3/21/19 2:55 PM'