Justify confirmed to take on Bolt d'Oro in Santa Anita Derby

After Justify breezed Monday through five furlongs at Santa Anita Park, trainer Bob Baffert announced an intriguing West Coast matchup is a go this Saturday.

Justify, who's unbeaten in his two career starts this year, will join multiple stakes winner Bolt d'Oro as a headliner in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby.

"We’ll run here,” said Baffert, who returned from Dubai on Sunday evening. "He went nice and it looked like he handled it pretty well. As long as he comes out of it well, he runs.”

Private clocker Andy Harrington summarized Justify's work, which he caught in 1:01 flat: "He did it with aplomb. He does everything they ask and he does it effortlessly. He’s like a big kid who’s just learning how to run…There’s really no telling how good he is.”

For Bolt d'Oro, Saturday's race represents a final prep on his way to Churchill Downs. For Justify, it's the only opportunity for a late-blooming colt to secure needed 2018 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

A son of Scat Daddy, Justify won his seven-furlong debut Feb. 18 by 9 1/2 lengths, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 104. He returned to the races most recently on March 11, galloping to a 6 1/2-length score going a mile and facing winners.

Either a win or place in the Santa Anita Derby would put Justify safely into the Kentucky Derby field. Still, that would seemingly require a step up.

Entries will be taken Wednesday, with post time for the Santa Anita Derby 7:12 p.m. ET Saturday. NBC Sports Network will broadcast.

Justify was originally pointed toward the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 14. Now, Baffert-trained Solomini will run in that spot with McKinzie's chances of making the Kentucky Derby "not looking good" due to injury.

Baffert, who has won a record seven Santa Anita Derbys, said he could have a second entrant in Saturday's field.