Undefeated Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner JUSTIFY posted his final gallop over Belmont Park’s main track on Friday, one day before he goes for a sweep of the Triple Crown in the 150th Belmont Stakes (G1).
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Trainer Bob Baffert oversaw the exercise, which saw Justify gallop 1 3/8 miles under regular exercise rider Humberto Gomez.
“We got the last gallop in, just another smooth, good day,” said Baffert, who watched with his wife, Jill, as well as several members of the four ownership groups – China Horse Club, WinStar Farm, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners LLC.
Baffert was happy he chose to equip Justify with earplugs as the work was also overseen by a TV helicopter, which filmed the move.
“I’m glad we did because when I saw that helicopter up there hovering over, I guess they wanted to watch him go around there,” Baffert said. “He is just moving over the track really well. It’s just amazing how he switched leads right on cue, comes down the lane. This is what a trainer hopes to see the day before his horse runs.
“Coming off the track he was just full of himself. He just seems like he’s still improving. He looks like he’s ready to run. I know he’s going to show up and run his race, but he still has to get around there. The racing part is out of our control. I couldn’t be happier with the way he looks. He looks no different than the way American Pharoah did coming in here. So we’ll just have to see how it goes.”
Justify captured both the Derby and Preakness over sloppy, sealed track, but could finally catch a fast surface for the Belmont with the forecast showing partly sunny skies with a 20 percent chance of rain.
“I prefer to see a fast track,” Baffert said. “When the weather is involved, you have to ride him differently. Everything has to be in a hurry. You have to go so fast.
“He’s always been a big strong horse,” Baffert added. “He seems to handle everything very well. He’s a big muscled-up horse and he eats well. He thrives. He’s really thriving now. He looks like he’s getting really fit right now.
“This horse has not shown me any signs of regression whatsoever,” Baffert concluded. “If he did, we would not have brought him up here. To me, it’s important he is doing well. He’s a very valuable and beautiful horse. The last thing we want to do is embarrass him. He just seems like he’s getting better.”
