Belmont 2018 favorite Justify puts bounce in handler's step

Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, Jimmy Barnes hopped off his pony, walked to the barn and checked on Triple Crown hopeful Justify after the colt’s first jog back toward the 2018 Belmont Stakes.

That’s all routine for the Bob Baffert assistant now. Eight months ago, however, it was in doubt.

Barnes is back on the horse after unseated in September when a pony stumbled, fracturing his pelvis. The longtime Baffert aide said he spent a month in the hospital in bed. Doctors told him he may not get back on the horse.

Upon his return to work, “They said, “Just take it easy, and if you feel comfortable doing it, go ahead. You might have to back off.’

“But there’s no backing off,” Barnes added. “It was full steam ahead.”

Seen on crutches at the Breeders’ Cup in November, Barnes is back to his regular shift while overseeing Justify for Baffert off the colt’s Preakness Stakes win last Saturday. After returning to Louisville on Sunday, Justify walked until his 1 3/8-mile jog Thursday.

All the hype around his horse — he’s 5-for-5, with each of his starts since February — “puts a bounce in your step,” Barnes said. Fast horses, it seems, prevent soreness.

“I saw just what I needed to see,” Barnes said of Thursday’s training. “…We just took it easy with him out there.”

Justify will work once or twice before the June 9 Belmont, following a blueprint the Baffert barn drew up to successfully campaign American Pharoah three years ago in his own Triple Crown quest.

“Characteristics-wise, it’s hard to compare the two,” Barnes said. “American Pharoah was so docile. This horse is a little more pushy. He lets you know he was around. American Pharoah was so much easier to handle.

“That’s in the barn. Now, on the racetrack, he’s very kind on the track and pretty much does whatever you want him to.”

That, Barnes added, makes his job easier these days. Not that the assistant trainer is looking to slow down anytime soon.