Report details Justify's Preakness 2018 shoeing changes

Journalist Fran Jurga, whose HoofBlog.com has for years detailed the shoeing of top racehorses with various foot issues, reported this week that Florida farrier Curtis Burns was flown in to work with 2018 Preakness Stakes favorite Justify.

WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden, who co-owns the colt, told media at Churchill Downs that Justify was treated for scratches, a heel bruise and then preventatively for a cracked heel coming out of his Kentucky Derby victory on May 5. The firestorm about the horse's condition started when he took a few poor steps the morning after the Derby, during what trainer Bob Baffert now refers to as "the famous walkout."

Jurga's posting includes close-up photos of Justify's left-hind foot after his three-quarter shoe was removed, replaced by Burns with a regular raceplate. But Burns also reportedly reinforced the hoof's walls and applied adhesive, saying, "This colt has a big campaign ahead of him."

Check out Jurga's full article for a look at Justify's new kicks, plus plenty of context about his shoeing ahead of the Triple Crown's second leg running Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.