Pharoah-esque schedule for Justify until Belmont Stakes 2018

Jimmy Barnes, the assistant trainer to Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, said some familiar things Sunday outside of a familiar barn — and with a familiar type of horse the center of attention.

It’s feeling like 2015 again with Justify looking to follow American Pharoah as a Triple Crown winner. He, just like Pharoah, will train up to the Belmont Stakes at Churchill Downs.

“Very similar,” Barnes said of the colt’s anticipated schedule.

As for the horses themselves...

“I don’t compare,” Barnes said of Justify and American Pharoah. “Those are still big shoes to fill. I won’t start comparing him to Pharoah until if he does happen to win the next leg.”

Back Sunday from a victory in the Preakness Stakes, Justify will walk the shed row for at least three days. Similar to before the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, Churchill Downs will close the track to all but horses pointed toward the Belmont Stakes from 7:30-7:45 a.m. starting Wednesday.

Along with Justify, Preakness runner-up Bravazo and third-place finisher Tenfold are returning to Churchill for their Belmont preparations.

“He’ll let us know if he needs to train on the fourth day or if he needs another walk day,” Barnes said.

There are no signs of the skin irritation or heel bruising that irked Justify coming out of his May 5 Kentucky Derby victory. After battling Good Magic on the lead, of course, Justify held off his challengers, again over a sloppy track at Pimlico.

“It was a great trip for us up there,” Barnes said. “We brought two horses. Both won.”

Justify’s traveling companion, Ax Man, won the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes one race before the Preakness. Barnes said a next start isn’t determined, but that Ax Man will remain a two-turn horse. Locally, there’s the Grade 3 Matt Winn next month, or he could ship with Justify to Belmont Park for a New York stakes.