Churchill Downs has announced that Triple Crown winner Justify will be celebrated and paraded between races at Saturday’s “Downs After Dark” program, which features four graded stakes including the Stephen Foster H. (G1).
Justify returned to Churchill Downs on Monday, two days after sweeping the Crown with a wire-to-wire victory in the Belmont Stakes (G1). He is only the second horse in history after Seattle Slew to win the Triple Crown with an undefeated record, and the first to do so without having raced as a two-year-old.
The timing of the parade and schedule of events will be finalized Wednesday. The parade will include a walkover on the main track, a visit to the paddock and the winner’s circle.
Justify’s connections – owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners; Baffert; Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith; and breeder John Gunther – will be on-hand Saturday to receive their engraved Kentucky Derby 144 trophies. Guests in attendance Saturday will be able to take pictures with the trophies beforehand from 5-7 p.m. (EDT).
Also, the first 5,000 fans in attendance Saturday will receive a free commemorative print of Justify that celebrates his Triple Crown achievement.
Admission gates will open Saturday at 5 p.m., with first post of 6 p.m. General admission is $10, box seats are $25 and reserved dining packages are $73. All ticket options can be purchased online at www.ChurchillDowns.com/Tickets.
