Favored Justify must overcome deep field, ‘Curse of Apollo’
‘Exceptional’ list of challengers to Run for the Roses
LOUISVILLE — Bob Baffert has what many people think is the best horse running in Saturday's Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. His name is Justify, and he will be trying to buck tradition in the world's most famous horse race.
"He really is a smart horse," Baffert said during one of his media scrums outside his barn at Churchill Downs this week. "He handles everything very well. He is strong. He is big. He is a superior race horse. He is just so talented. But there are a bunch of talented horses in here." Therein lies the rub. As good as Justify is, there is a boatload of talented equines that will load into the starting gate with Justify, who is the 3-1 favorite and will also have to contend with the Curse of Apollo: No horse who was unraced as a 2-yearold has won the Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882.
If Justify and jockey Mike Smith can find their way home first in the 1¼ mile race, they will have earned it. Others lining up in the field include Florida Derby winner Audible, Wood Memorial winner Vino Rosso, Blue Grass winner Good Magic, Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon and Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy.
All of those horses were favored to win those prep races. No upset specials in these races.
"This field is really deep," said Smith. "There are eight horses in here that would not shock me a little bit if they jumped up and won. And the others behind them are right on their heels."
Wary of the invader
And don't forget about Mendelssohn, who is attempting to become the first European horse to ship to the United States and snatch the Run for the Roses. Mendelssohn stamped himself as a serious contender when he blitzed a lesser field by 18½ lengths in the UAE Derby in Dubai.
American horsemen are wary of the invader, who is trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. That team is considered the best in Europe.
"It would be something we really couldn't dream of, to win this race," O'Brien said. "We feel privileged to be here and have a horse that can compete."
Mendelssohn is the 5-1 second choice on the morning line.
Justify busted onto the Derby scene late and became Baffert's first stringer after an injury to his highly touted colt McKinzie.
Justify has more than held his own as he has won his three races by a combined 19 lengths, including a three-length win in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby on April 7. That was his first stakes win and came over Bolt d'Oro, who was considered the top 2-yearold in the land last year before losing to Good Magic in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
And now he tries to win the biggest race of all in only his fourth start.
Detractors will say Justify needs more seasoning, more experience. Those who believe say his raw talent will carry him through.
"This is a horse that has a natural ability," Baffert said. "He is like your great athletes, your franchise player. My job is to keep him at that level."
Pletcher to saddle four
That's the same thing that trainer Todd Pletcher will do with his four runners: Audible, Magnum Moon (also undefeated in four starts, also unraced at age 2, Vino Rosso and Noble Indy.
And that's what trainer Chad Brown wants to see with Good Magic, who has been as impressive as any animal during his training this week.
The preparation is over for these trainers and horses. Now comes the race. Baffert said he will get more on edge as the race approaches. He will turn off his phone, he says, because the normally chatty trainer doesn't want to talk to anyone.
Now, it's all about the race. For all of them.
"This is just an exceptional field," said trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who saddles 50-1 longshot Bravazo. "It's one of the best fields we have had in awhile. This is a damn good field."