9 races Justify could run in after his Triple Crown sweep

While talking this weekend about the prospects of Justify’s racing future, trainer Bob Baffert remembered a story from his first go-around with a Triple Crown winner back in 2015 with American Pharoah.

“It’s a lot of pressure. I remember getting off the plane after Pharoah won,” he said of the Belmont Stakes. “Cheech & Chong were on the plane. He goes, ‘Congratulations. So, what happens next?”

Baffert told the famous comedians the horse may run a few more times.

“He goes, ‘Why would you want to do that? Why would you risk it?’ I’ll never forget it — Cheech & Chong!”

And so here Baffert is with the same decision to make with a horse reportedly worth $75 million to Coolmore as a stallion prospect. The Hall of Fame trainer said he’ll soon confer with Justify’s managing partner, WinStar Farm, about whether to run the horse again, and if so, in which race?

Here are nine spots in which you could see him back on track:

Saturday, July 14: Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby

This is a longshot prospect, but one worth including, as in 2015 Baffert nominated American Pharoah for it. Justify has already returned to training and doesn’t seem to have lost much, if any, weight from the Triple Crown grind, and could be ready to go soon.

Sunday, July 29: Grade 1 Haskell Invitational

Baffert has won this event a record eight times and used it as American Pharoah’s comeback race. But it’s worth noting Zayat Stables, the 2015 Triple Crown winner’s owners, call New Jersey home. Will Justify’s connections feel at all compelled to run at Monmouth Park? The track will likely incentivize them with a purse boost from the current $1 million should Justify enter the race.

Saturday, Aug. 18: Grade 1 TVG Pacific Classic

It’s rare for 3-year-olds to face older competition these days before the Beeders’ Cup, but this West Coast spot may make sense for Justify in a year when the handicap division is looking weak. But if Baffert’s champion West Coast rounds back into shape, the Pacific Classic would size up as a much better fit for him.

Saturday, Aug. 25: Grade 1 Travers Stakes

Another race in which American Pharoah ran — and was notably defeated by Keen Ice — won’t scare off Baffert. The trainer came back to win the Mid-Summer Derby in record time with Arrogate in 2016, then nabbed another score at the Spa with West Coast in 2017. This is about as prestigious a race connections could spot Justify outside of the classics.

Saturday, Sept. 22: Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby

This race gained Grade 1 status starting with the 2017 running won by West Coast. Going back to 2014, Baffert also won it with Bayern, who used it as a final prep before going on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It’s the last major race on the calendar restricted to 3-year-olds.

Date TBA (likely Saturday, Sept. 29): Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes

For 3-year-olds and up, the purse money isn’t grand, but then again, any earnings will pale in comparison to what Justify will eventually sell for as a stallion prospect. This race is a “Win and You’re In” toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic along with two other races on this list, the Haskell and Pacific Classic. And it’s run at Santa Anita Park, where Justify should be stabled at this point in the year.

Date TBA (likely Saturday, Sept. 29): Grade 3 Lukas Classic

This is another longshot but also worth a mention, as Baffert nominated American Pharoah to it, and Churchill Downs promised to up the purse to $1 million back in 2015 if he showed up. Perhaps it could serve as a reason to get the Triple Crown winner to Churchill early for the Breeders’ Cup. Plus, it’s named after the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, with whom Baffert has developed quite the friendship lately.

Saturday, Nov. 3: Breeders’ Cup Classic

Well, duh. This is the race from which connections will work backward to have Justify at his best — assuming they keep him in training beyond the Triple Crown. Baffert had American Pharoah at a new lifetime peak for his Classic score at Keeneland. The championships return to Kentucky this year, with Churchill to host for the first time since 2011.

Saturday, Jan. 26: Pegasus World Cup

Things would have to be going really well. But just last year, Horse of the Year Gun Runner remained on track after his Breeders’ Cup Classic victory, finished up his career with another win in the world’s richest race, and then still had time to retire and head to stud for the 2018 breeding season. It helps to have that precedent.