Justin Squared could not be caught in Chick Lang
Zayat Stables’ Justin Squared kept his perfect record intact with a gate-to-wire, two-length victory in the seventh running of the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert for Zayat Stables, who teamed up to win the 140th Preakness Stakes (G1) with American Pharoah en route to the 2015 Triple Crown, 4-5 favorite Justin Squared ($3.60) ran six furlongs in 1:11.41 over a muddy main track.
It was the third victory in as many starts, all in front-running fashion for Justin Squared, a speedy son of Grade 1-winning sprinter Zensational, who debuted with a 5 ½-length maiden victory last fall at Del Mar. This year, he won a six-furlong optional claiming allowance April 21 at Los Alamitos.
Counterforce rallied from last to finish second, two lengths ahead of 45-1 long shot Formal Summation. Fourth-place finisher Big Louie D was disqualified for interference on the far turn and placed last of seven.
Justin Squared is named for Zayat’s son and racing manager, Justin Zayat, and the stable’s bloodstock manager, Justin Casse. Baffert, who is slated to saddle Collected in the Preakness later Saturday, saddled 2013 Chick Lang winner Zee Bros for Zayat Stables.
Source: Pimlico Race Course