It’s unclear when and where Justify will race again, but Churchill Downs officials are hopeful the Triple Crown winner will finish his season at the Louisville track.
Justify became the 13th Triple Crown winner in thoroughbred history on Saturday when he won the Belmont Stakes and improved to 6 for 6 in his young career. Elliott Walden, president of Justify co-owner WinStar Farms, said plans are for the colt to continue racing this season and for the Breeders’ Cup Classic to be the ultimate goal.
The Breeders’ Cup is set for Nov. 2-3 at Churchill Downs as the world championships will return to Louisville for the first time since 2011.
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“It would be great,” Walden said. “That’s the plan as long as the horse cooperates. For him to already have a race over the track (Kentucky Derby), and he’s trained really well there. It’s kind of like his second home since he’s spent the last five or six weeks there. We’re looking forward to it.”
John Asher, vice president of racing communications at Churchill Downs, called Justify “a marquee star.”
“This market always embraces the Breeders’ Cup in an incredible way,” Asher said. “It’s always exciting when a Derby winner comes back, but we’ve not had the opportunity here at Churchill Downs in the eight previous Breeders’ Cups we’ve had here to have a Triple Crown winner here. With all the special runnings we’ve had here, that would make it even more special.”
Justify traveled on Monday from New York to Louisville, where he took up residence once again in Bob Baffert’s Barn 33. Since winning the Kentucky Derby, Justify has spent most of his time at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Preakness and Belmont. He’s scheduled to head back to California on Sunday.
When Justify will return to Louisville again is anyone’s guess. Some have speculated he could follow American Pharoah’s path to retirement after winning the Triple Crown in 2015. That path included the Haskell at Monmouth Park, the Travers at Saratoga and the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland, where American Pharoah became the first horse ever to complete the “Grand Slam” of thoroughbred racing (Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup).
Darren Rogers, Churchill Downs’ director of communications and media services, said a Justify appearance in the Breeders’ Cup would enhance the event.
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“With the Breeders’ Cup being at Churchill Downs this fall and his familiarity with this racetrack, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see him train over the track in advance of the Breeders’ Cup, which clearly would provide a ton of excitement as we get closer to the event,” Rogers said.
Breeders’ Cup tickets went on sale to the public last week and can be purchased online at breederscup.com/tickets.
Churchill Downs officials still have their current spring and September meets to conduct, but the return of the Breeders’ Cup also is on their minds.
“It’s a long way away still but probably closer than we think,” Asher said. “(A possible Justify return) is something we’d not only be thrilled about, but I think the community and the region certainly would be thrilled about it. If all continues to go well and Justify continues to win, it would put an exclamation mark on a pretty remarkable story.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jasonf.
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