Kentucky Derby 2018 contender Justify 'rides with room to grow'

Trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith viewed the opening half mile of Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby differently, at least until able to discuss in more detail the victory that moved Justify on to the 2018 Kentucky Derby.

Baffert said “there was concern down the backside when he took off like that,” sprinting out to a three-length lead. But Smith, citing a busy infield at Santa Anita Park, considered the move a positive one. Justify noticed “umbrellas and everyone screaming” until his Hall of Fame rider had the colt refocus.

“And that’s when he kind of skirted away,” Smith said.

Aside from a mild bid by multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d’Oro, Justify went unchallenged in his third career start, stretching from seven furlongs to a mile and now nine furlongs. He’s on to the first leg of the Triple Crown series as a likely Kentucky Derby favorite.

“He rides with room to grow,” said Smith, who was aboard Justify for the second time Saturday. “What you’re seeing right now is really just raw talent. He’s got so much room to grow and to even get better, believe it or not. I think this race is going to put a lot more bottom into him.”

While Smith didn’t mention the Kentucky Derby specifically, it’s likely he had it in mind when adding, “If he moves forward off of this race, which he should, then it’s even kind of scary to talk about.”

Baffert said this week he doesn’t know why Justify — campaigned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, SF Racing and others who have recently bought in — was so late to the races. But it has put historical pressure on the chestnut he’s taken to calling Big Red.

Only two previous Kentucky Derby winners accomplished the feat entering the race with only three career starts. And, it was been well established that the first and only Derby winner to have not raced at age 2 was Apollo in 1882.

Justify’s 107 Beyer Speed Figure for the three-length win ranks best on the Kentucky Derby trail, topping Mendelssohn’s 106 from last weekend’s the UAE Derby.

“But Justify is just a natural and he’s just learning how to run,” Baffert said. “He has that big, beautiful stride.”

The trainer said his latest Kentucky Derby favorite looks like Point Given, the 2001 favorite who finished fifth at Churchill Downs — but went on to win the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

“He’s quick and he’s light on his feet,” Baffert said. “It’s just good that he showed up. He did what we thought and were hoping he was going to do. I just feel fortunate to have him. It takes a lot of the sting out of what happened to McKinzie. It’s a tough business but we’ve just got to keep going.”

Baffert won’t be able to start McKinzie in the Kentucky Derby after an irritation was found in one of the colt’s hind legs. McKinzie was due to start in the Santa Anita Derby, but the injury opened the opportunity to Justify. Looking to get a second horse into the Derby field, Baffert will also send Solomini to the Arkansas Derby next weekend for the final round of points-paying preps.