Justify looks to throw hat into Derby prep ring

ARCADIA, Calif. – Justify can support the hype surrounding his brilliant debut if he wins his first start around two turns Sunday at Santa Anita.

A win in the allowance race with a $75,000 claiming option at a mile would vault Justify into the spring preps for the Kentucky Derby.

“We’ll see what he does around two turns,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions.”

Justify proved his ability as a sprinter with an eye-catching win by 9 1/4 lengths in a maiden race at seven furlongs here Feb. 18. Justify led throughout and was timed in 1:21.86, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 104, the highest for a 3-year-old this year through Thursday.

Justify is part of a field of eight and has drawn the outside post. First post time on Sundays is now 11:30 a.m. Pacific.

KEY CONTENDERS

Justify, by Scat Daddy Beyer: 104

◗ Justify was 1-2 on Feb. 18 and may be a similar price Sunday. Mike Smith has the mount on Justify, who was ridden by Drayden Van Dyke in the maiden race. Baffert said Friday that Smith gained the mount at the request of China Horse Club, which is part-owner of Justify.

◗ Justify’s speed is likely to put him on the front. Curly’s Rocket, a maiden race winner for Baffert at six furlongs Feb. 3, drew the rail and may be prominent early.

◗ Justify, who was purchased for $500,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale, wore blinkers in his debut but will not be fitted with the equipment for Sunday’s race. Baffert said he wants to avoid a situation in which Justify “is rank.”

“I should have had them off the first time,” Baffert said.

All Out Blitz, by Concord Point Last 3 Beyers: 69-91-87

◗ All Out Blitz is winless in two starts this year – a second to McKinzie in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at a mile Jan. 6 and a well-beaten third to Kanthaka in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs Feb. 10.

“I think going two turns is more what he wants to do,” trainer Simon Callaghan said. “He didn’t fire in his last race. The track was kind of deep that day. Hopefully, that was a oneoff.”

Shivermetimbers, by Shanghai Bobby Last 3 Beyers: 68-84-89

◗ Shivermetimbers won a maiden race at a mile at Del Mar in late November in his first start around two turns, but has lost his last two starts – a fourth in the Sham Stakes and a seventh as the 2-1 favorite in the Grade 3 Robert Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 3.

“We were looking for a spot where he might fit better, but it came up tough,” Hollendorfer said. “He’s been running against tough horses and runs against one on Sunday.”