SANTA ANITA Justify gets hero’s welcome

ARCADIA, Calif. – Justify’s post-Triple Crown celebration tour continued Saturday with a 15-minute walk to the paddock, racetrack, and winner’s circle at Santa Anita before an adoring crowd, most of whom went home with mobile phones filled with photographs.

This was the second consecutive Saturday that Justify was shown to his fans. On June 16, Justify was paraded at Churchill Downs.

On Saturday, Justify’s every move was recorded by fans after he left trainer Bob Baffert’s stable shortly after 1:30 p.m. He was walked in the shade of the saddling enclosure as he was led to the picturesque outdoor paddock, where a large audience gathered two and three deep.

Justify went from the paddock to the main track, first in front of the clubhouse – where he received a rousing reception – and then to the winner’s circle for a brief ceremony with Baffert and jockey Mike Smith. Justify was a little antsy at the end of the winner’s circle presentation before he was walked up the stretch and back into the barns. The brief tour gave fans ample opportunity to see the 13th Triple Crown winner up close.

The day began with a Justify theme. In late morning, Smith signed hundreds of autographs on commemorative posters provided by the track. There were more fans than the 4,000 posters distributed, and more fans seeking autographs than time allowed.

Justify was flown to California on June 17 and had a quiet week, going to the track for a jog on June 19, but walking at Baffert’s stable from June 20 through Saturday. Baffert said after the winner’s circle ceremony that he is in no rush to push Justify back into regular training.

“We’re giving him a little bit of a break,” Baffert said. “He looked good today. He’s handled everything well. We’ll let him tell us when he’s ready to go again.

“It takes a couple of weeks to see if there is any wear and tear.”

Baffert has not announced specific race plans for Justify, but two Grade 1 stakes for 3-year-olds in coming months – the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 29 and the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 25 – will be considered.

Saturday’s appearance was Justify’s first trip to the winner’s circle at Santa Anita since the Santa Anita Derby on April 7. The colt won his first three starts here – a maiden race Feb. 18 and an allowance race with a claiming option March 11, before the Santa Anita Derby.

Justify races for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and Starlight Racing and has earned $3,798,000 by going unbeaten in six starts.

“After the first race, we knew he was something special,” Baffert said. “This is where it all started. I’m proud to be part of this.”

Justify is Baffert’s second Triple Crown winner, coming three years after American Pharoah swept the series.

“It was a fun three races,” Baffert said of this year’s Triple Crown. “I still can’t believe I was able to train another superstar.”

American Anthem may stretch

American Anthem has been a seven-furlong specialist in his first 10 starts and has won three graded stakes at the distance.

After a victory in Sunday’s Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita, Baffert said he may try something new with the 4-year-old.

“I think I want to stretch him out,” Baffert said.

On Sunday, Baffert mentioned two options for American Anthem – the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 21 at Del Mar or the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 25 at Saratoga.

Ridden by Smith, American Anthem won the $251,035 San Carlos Stakes as the 9-10 favorite by a head over St. Joe Bay, who was claimed last month for $62,500. American Anthem was timed in 1:22.12 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105.

American Anthem has won 5 of 10 starts. A colt by Bodemeister, American Anthem has started around two turns twice, finishing 10th in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in March 2017 and 12th in the Santa Anita Derby a month later.

Baffert said American Anthem is a different horse this year.

“I think he’s getting better with age,” Baffert said.

American Anthem certainly has a famous next-stall neighbor in the Baffert barn in Triple Crown winner Justify.

American Anthem is owned by WinStar Farm, Head of Plains Partners, China Horse Club, and SF Racing and has earned $673,945.

Unique Bella works 5 furlongs

The champion Unique Bella, who is likely to start in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes next month at Del Mar, was among several notable workers over the weekend at Santa Anita.

Unique Bella won the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on June 2 in her last start. On Saturday, she breezed five furlongs in 1:00.80. In the last five weeks, Unique Bella has been given a “breezing” designation in three of her four workouts instead of the more strenuous description of “handily.”

The $300,000 Clement Hirsch Stakes will be run at 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares July 29. The champion female sprinter of 2017, Unique Bella has won two of three starts this year for Don Alberto Stable and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. She won the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes in February and was second in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap in April at Oaklawn Park.

In other works Saturday, Accelerate, winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 26, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds. Trained by John Sadler, Accelerate is scheduled to start in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 21 at Del Mar, a race that could include City of Light, who was third in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

City of Light, who worked a half-mile in 48.60 on Saturday, beat Accelerate in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 14 in Arkansas. Trainer Michael McCarthy emphasized Sunday that no race has been selected for City of Light.

“All options are open,” he said.

Hoppertunity, the 7-yearold multiple stakes winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Sunday. Trained by Baffert, Hoppertunity won the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational on June 9 at Belmont Park and is expected to return there for the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on July 7.

Ransom the Moon, winner of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Sakes last July at Del Mar, worked a half-mile in 48.20 for a scheduled start in this year’s Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs July 28. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Ransom the Moon was fifth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at a mile on June 9 at Belmont Park.