4 takeaways from Justify's Preakness 2018 victory
The 2018 Preaknes Stakes Stakes didn't lack in excitement. Despite weather conditions being reminiscent of those across the pond, the Kentucky Derby winner (Justify) and runner-up (Good Magic) brought their “A” game, dueling head-to-head for much of the race before a victor finally emerged, with Justify keeping his Triple Crown bid alive.
Here's what we learned:
Justify is just plain great
It truly does not matter the conditions, because Justify is going to run his race. In the Derby, the track was muddy and the pace, which Justify was right on, was hot. Despite that, Justify shattered the so-called Apollo Curse and wore the roses. For the Preakness, the track once again came up sloppy, but not only was the track a mess, but fog limited visibility. None of that mattered, however, as Justify looked Good Magic in the eye nearly from start to finish and found the wire first. Not only did he duel Good Magic straight from the gate, but he also had enough to hold off the charging closers who raced off the pace. It was a display of both heart and talent.
Trust Bob Baffert
Social media exploded the morning after the Kentucky Derby. Video of Justify briefly appearing for to the media showed the colt favoring his left hind leg. Trainer Bob Baffert maintained through the storm that the colt was fine -- that he was known to suffer from a skin irritation after running in the slop. A state veterinarian also discovered a heel bruise that Baffert's team quickly treated, and then dismissed. Justify's performance Saturday ended the speculation: He's a healthy horse.
We have a budding rivalry
Good Magic’s jockey, Jose Ortiz, said he wouldn't give Justify an inch. And he didn't. When the gates opened, Good Magic positioned himself inside of Justify and helped set the early fractions two weeks after finishing just behind him at Churchill Downs. Even though the 2-year-old champ didn't prevail, he gave Justify all he wanted and treated fans to another closely contested classic. Trainer Chad Brown has already said the Belmont Stakes is not an option for Good Magic. Perhaps we'll see these two horses clash again later in the year.
D. Wayne Lukas can never be counted out
Bravazo upset the Risen Star (G2) to earn himself a spot in the gate at Churchill Downs, but then proceeded to throw a clunker in the Louisiana Derby (G2). But his respectable sixth while running wide in the Derby earned him another try at a Triple Crown race. The Calumet Farm-owned Awesome Again went postward in the Preakness with double-digit odds but carried a resume similar to Oxbow, who upset the 2013 running. D. Wayne Lukas was also the trainer then, and Awesome Again was the sire. After Saturday's performance, Lukas is poised to send Bravazo in the Belmont. And in case you’re wondering, Oxbow went on to finish second in that race his 3-year-old season.