No, Justify wasn't lame after Derby win; 'very minor' issue

Justify made a brief appearance Sunday morning at Churchill Downs, leaving the barn for a photo opportunity with trainer Bob Baffert. It took just a few seconds of video for social speculation to begin about the Kentucky Derby winner's left hind leg, and the colt's tendency to not apply pressure on it.

In a text message Sunday afternoon, Baffert said Justify "has an irritated pastern that we call 'scratches.'" The skin condition is "very minor" and can be caused by wet weather. Justify is known to get it "off and on," Baffert said.

Considering Saturday's Derby Day was the wettest on record, this round of scratches was of no surprise.

RELATED: Justify "a handful," confirmed for Preakness

"The gravel outside (the) barn made it look worse," Baffert said.

With Justify not due back to the track for training until Wednesday, Baffert's staff at Churchill Downs will "soften it up with ointment," and the irritation should disappear in a few days.

Then serious training will begin for Justify's bid at the 2018 Preakness Stakes run May 19 at Pimlico.