Justify into record books with Belmont 2018, Triple Crown wins

From anonymity until his February debut to immortality four months later, Justify completed his Triple Crown series sweep on Saturday with a front-running victory in the 2018 Belmont Stakes.

The win made him America’s 13th overall Triple Crown winner and just the second in 40 years. But the scene of a packed Belmont Park, and the sound as Justify hit the top of the stretch, also felt familiar, so comparable to American Pharoah’s own domination of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont in 2015.

Justify, as with Pharoah, is trained by Bob Baffert, who joined Jim Fitzsimmons (Gallant Fox in 1930 and Omaha in 1935) as the only conditioners to saddle multiple Triple Crown winners — ever. It was the first for Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, as well as an ownership group that includes WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and others.

"It's very emotional," Baffert said, choking up a bit after his horse crossed the wire. "I know I got a lot of help upstairs."

The result was never in doubt, really. Justify jumped from the gate, positioned up front and didn't relent as longshot Gronkowski ran on for second. Hofburg was third.

The final time was 2:28.18 for the 1 1/2-mile test.

"This horse ran a tremendous race," Smith said. "He's so gifted. He's sent from heaven, I tell ya. It's just amazing. I can't describe the emotion that's going through my body right now."

Smith said Justify handled the 90,000 spectators at Belmont well, and settled in the gate so calm, the jockey worried whether his horse would break.

"He left there like he was going 440 yards in Ruidoso, New Mexico," Smith quipped about a home state quarter horse track.

The opening quarter mile went in a speedy 23.37 seconds, but Justify caught a breather while completing the half in 48.11. Around the turn, he distanced from second-place runner and Baffert stablemate Restoring Hope before turning back Vino Rosso, who pulled to within a length before they hit the top of the stretch.

From there, the race was on for second, with Gronkowski getting up thanks to a rail ride at odds of 24-1.

RELATED: Full list of Triple Crown winners before Justify 

Justify, a chestnut son of the late Scat Daddy, is now 6-for-6 in his short career, which includes wins over sloppy tracks in the Derby and Preakness. Belmont day was dry, and it was over a fast track in the Santa Anita Derby he hit previous career tops by most speed figures.

Justify delivered again in the 12-furlong Belmont, becoming only the second horse following Seattle Slew in 1977 to win the Triple Crown while undefeated.

While Baffert called American Pharoah "my first love," he said training these top horses "never gets old."

"He was showing me the same signs," Baffert added. "He showed me that brilliance -- superior horse. He could have won ever race on the undercard today. He's that kind of horse."