With 'bounce in his step,' Justify booked for Preakness 2018 trip
Undefeated Kentucky Derby winner Justify continued training for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the 2018 Preakness Stakes, on Friday morning at Churchill Downs when he galloped 1 ½ miles with exercise rider Humberto Gomez aboard.
“He’s back to his normal self,” assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. “He’s feeling good and has a good bounce in his step.”
Among those watching Justify gallop Friday was Kevin Dunlavy, who is overseeing Baffert’s veterinary care at Churchill Downs.
“One of the most remarkable things about him is his capacity for recovery respiratory-wise,” Dunlavy said. “He’ll go out and train, it could be a strong gallop, and within minutes he’s completely caught his breath. His recovery seems maybe superior to the average horse.
“I think it was Jimmy who remarked that even in the winner’s circle after the Derby, the horse wasn’t out of breath. He’d run a mile and a quarter like that, and to really catch his breath that quickly, it’s unique,” he added. “That’s for sure. What makes him maybe a little more elite than another horse… you have to wonder that, cardiovascular-wise, if he’s not a little superior.”
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is expected to fly into Louisville on Sunday night and watch the colt train Monday and Tuesday before the horse's trip to Baltimore on Wednesday.
Owned by the partnership of WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners, the Baffert trainee was the first horse on the track at 7:30 following the first track maintenance renovation break.
Justify is joined by four Churchill Downs-based horses that are possible to contest the Preakness Stakes: Kentucky Derby sixth-place finisher Bravazo (trainer D. Wayne Lukas), Kentucky Derby eighth-place runner Lone Sailor (Tom Amoss), Pat Day Mile (3) fourth Sporting Chance (Lukas) and Arkansas Derby (GI) fifth-place finisher Tenfold (Steve Asmussen).
Trainer Dallas Stewart reported Friday morning that Pat Day Mile third-place finisher Givemeaminit will bypass the Preakness and target the June 9 Woody Stephens (GII) on the undercard of the Belmont Stakes (GI).