Justify powers through the rain during workout
Once again, Justify was not slowed by the rain.
Having won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes over sloppy tracks, Justify continued his training toward the June 9 Belmont Stakes as rain fell Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.
The big chestnut colt breezed through an impressive workout, covering four furlongs in 46.80 seconds and galloping out in 59.60 seconds. It was the fastest of 43 four-furlong workouts at the track on Tuesday, earning a review of “pretty incredible” from trainer Bob Baffert.
“It went really well,” Baffert said. “I was worried about the rain and the weather, and I have to say that the track man (Jamie Richardson) did an outstanding job of having it ready for us. It was nice and had some bounce to it. (Justify) went around there really nice.”
Martin Garcia was on board during the breeze.
“I basically didn’t say anything at all to Martin during the work,” Baffert said. “He just had him down in a nice little groove. I was surprised how easy the time was and how easy he was doing it. I was hoping for that kind of work.”
Baffert said he would head back to California later Tuesday and likely return to Louisville on Saturday and Sunday. Justify is tentatively scheduled to breeze again on Monday before shipping to New York on June 6.
“I wish the race was this week, but we have another week to go,” Baffert said. “I think we’re in great shape. I feel pretty strong that he’s not going backwards on us. He’s moving forward.”
Baffert’s other Belmont hopeful, Restoring Hope, also breezed on Tuesday, covering seven furlongs in 1:26.
Free Drop Billy a go for Belmont: Jason Loutsch, racing manager for Free Drop Billy owner Albaugh Family Stables, said Tuesday the colt will run in the Belmont. Free Drop Billy hasn’t raced since finishing 16th in the Kentucky Derby. He breezed Monday at Churchill, going five furlongs in 59.60 seconds.
“We were really disappointed, and we feel he’s a better horse than that,” Loutsch said of the Derby. “We’re going to cross that one off. We wanted to see how he’d bounce back after that race, and (Monday) he showed us he had a lot of energy and is a happy horse and galloped out really strong.”