Private clocker sees Belmont 2018 favorite Justify 'moving forward'

As the minutes tick by at a sloth-like pace, the world of racing sits in antsy anticipation of Justify’s pursuit of a Triple Crown sweep in the 2018 Belmont Stakes.

It will either be history or hysteria, or perhaps both, if the undefeated winner of the Santa Anita Derby, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes becomes the 13th horse to capture the Triple Crown and only the second to do so while unbeaten, following Seattle Slew in 1977.

Because Justify is based at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert, who better to ask about the big red colt’s chances than two respected California clockers, Andy Harrington and Gary Young? The latter is also a bloodstock agent with a keen eye for a horse, and known to make a wise wager or two when the opportunity arises.

“I’m just as high on Justify as I was before,” Harrington said. “I thought he sort of ran his ‘B’ game in the Preakness, and still won, still beat them all, and it seems like from every gallop and every work I’ve seen since, he’s doing fantastic.

“I think he’s moving forward out of the Preakness and we might see something kind of special in the Belmont.”

Young missed the betting boat early on, despite being well aware of Justify’s potential.

“I tried desperately to get down on him in the (Derby) Future Book, and I didn’t,” Young said. “I was on record as saying he was far and away the best horse in the race, and I’m not surprised that he’s on the brink of immortality.

“I expect him to go to the front and win. I give (Bill) Mott’s horse (Hofburg) a little chance, and (Steve) Asmussen’s horse (Tenfold) a little less chance than that.

“The rest of them, I would be flabbergasted if they beat Justify.”