What lies ahead for Justify?
His connections say he’ll keep on running, and Triple Crown winner will have options
ELMONT, N. Y.— Despite a deal for his breeding rights worth a reported $ 75 million, the connections of Triple Crown winner Justify plan to continue racing him through the end of this year, they said Sunday.
‘‘ We’re looking forward to sharing him [ with the public] more,’’ said Elliott Walden, the CEO and racing manager for WinStar Farm, which owns a majority share of the horse. ‘‘ He’s now become a household name, and I’m looking forward to his next race just as much as you guys are.’’
The question now for Justify, who became the first horse since Seattle Slew in 1977 to win the Triple Crown with an undefeated record, is how the rest of his career might take shape.
Some clues might come from how trainer Bob Baffert handled American Pharoah, who got a bit of a break after winning the Triple Crown in 2015 and returned to the track on Aug. 2 to win the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. After a shocking upset loss in the Travers at Saratoga— the biggest summer race restricted to 3- year- olds— there was some question whether Baffert would run him again. But American Pharoah stayed on course for the $ 6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, which he won in dominating fashion against older horses to finish off his career in style.
Baffert said Sunday he essentially will do the same thing he did with American Pharoah, which is to bring him back to Churchill Downs for a week or so and then likely to Baffert’s home base in California. From there, he’ll read the horse’s physical signs before determining the next steps.
‘‘ Usually about a week later, you can see how much of a toll it’s taken on him,’’ Baffert said. ‘‘ We’ll sit down and figure out a little game plan after that, but we have nothing at all.’’
If Justify remains healthy and sound, Baffert will have plenty of options to map out his summer and fall campaign, with the obvious goal being the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 3 at Churchill. The question is how many races he’ll have between now and then.
It would be hard to imagine Justify running again before July 29 in the Haskell, a race Baffert has won eight times. The Travers, a race with significant history, might have some appeal Aug. 25. But if Baffert prefers to keep the horse out West, the Pacific Classic on Aug. 18 at Del Mar might be an appealing target.
‘‘ Our focus was on each race as it came up, and now we can take a deep breath and just see how the horse is,’’ Walden said. ‘‘ The great thing about being with Bob and having him as a trainer is he knows when the horses are right. He’s so in tune with his horses, and he’s not going to bring horses up here unless they’re right. He’ll get Justify right, and then we’ll make a plan.’’
One more factor potentially might extend Justify’s career into a 4- year- old season. In 2017, Gulfstream Park in South Florida established the Pegasus World Cup, a race where up to 12 people can put up $ 1 million to reserve a spot in the gate, then either enter a horse in the race or make an arrangement to sell or lease their spot to another owner.
Because of the timing in late January, it allows a horse to run one more time before breeding season begins. And with a worldrecord purse of $ 16 million, it might be an enticing option for Justify’s career farewell next year.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell reported before the Belmont that Justify’s stud rights had been sold to Irish- based Coolmore for $ 60 million, with a $ 15 million bonus if he won the Triple Crown. WinStar has yet to confirm the deal.