Triple Cfrosn Winner Not Run Again

The contrarians were numerous, only for those closest to undefeated Justify in that location was a hope the horse would race once more later on becoming thoroughbred racing'due south 13th Triple Crown winner concluding month.

In the end, though, Justify's health wouldn't allow it.

Trainer Bob Baffert made it official Wednesday, announcing in a press release that Justify volition not race again and volition render to WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, next month to begin his stud career.

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"Justify had some filling in his talocrural joint, and he is just non responding quick enough for a fall entrada," Baffert said. "We all wanted to see Justify run again, but ultimately information technology is my responsibility to make sure he is perfect. Without 60-xc days, I can't be definite."

Baffert revealed 2 weeks ago that Justify had developed the filling — otherwise known as swelling or inflammation — and had been taken out of training. Justify currently is stabled at California'due south Del Mar Racetrack.

Baffert announced last week that Justify would non be ready to race in Lord's day's Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park or the Travers on Aug. 25 at Saratoga. That left Justify footling time to become in a prep race before the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs.

"The timing is bad for another outset in 2018, and therefore nosotros have to retire him," said WinStar Farm President Elliott Walden said. "Like (2015 Triple Crown winner) American Pharoah, we can't take the run a risk of running Justify every bit a 4-year-old. We all wanted him to finish his career in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but it was non meant to be."

Justify's convenance rights reportedly have been sold to Coolmore for $75 million.

"There is a possible auction to Coolmore in place, but that won't exist finalized until a later appointment," Walden said. "Nosotros are excited to share him with our fans starting the middle of August afterward he gets acclimated."

At 52, Mike Smith became the oldest jockey ever to win the Triple Crown when Justify captured the Belmont.

"I am disappointed he won't run again, but I am thankful he came into my life," Smith said. "At that place was never a fourth dimension when I rode him that I felt like I was going to get beat. There was no horse who could run with him without sacrificing themselves, and at that place was no horse who could come get him. He truly is a gift from God."

Justify completed an unprecedented Triple Crown run on June 9 by winning the Belmont past one ¾ lengths over Gronkowski, capping a half-dozen-for-6 career. Justify became just the second undefeated Triple Crown winner ever, joining Seattle Slew (1977) who finished his career fourteen-2-0.

Justify becomes just the second Triple Crown winner who didn't race once again afterwards capturing the Belmont. Count Fleet, the 1943 Triple Crown winner, too battled injuries and never raced again after the Belmont.

Co-owned by WinStar Farm, Mainland china Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Caput of Plains Partners, Justify'southward training every bit a 2-twelvemonth-old was briefly interrupted by a pulled muscle. He didn't race until Feb of this year, breaking his maiden with a 9 ½-length score at Santa Anita.

Justify won his side by side race on March 11 at Santa Anita by half-dozen ½ lengths and and then earned his spot in the Kentucky Derby with a three-length victory over Bolt d'Oro in the Santa Anita Derby.

At Churchill Downs, Justify faced a sloppy track and a 136-year "curse" as he tried to get just the 2d horse in history (Apollo did it in 1882) to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a 2-year-sometime. Justify ran just off the exterior of early pace-setter Promises Fulfilled, breezed past him inbound the final turn and put away Practiced Magic down the stretch for a 2 ½-length victory.

Two weeks later he endured a grueling battle with Proficient Magic on the backstretch and held on for a half-length victory over Bravazo in a fog-filled Preakness, setting up his Triple Crown run at Belmont on June 9.

A son of Scat Daddy out of the Ghostzapper mare Stage Magic, Justify finished with career earnings of $3,798,000. He was purchased for $500,000 at Keeneland'south 2016 September Yearling Sale.

Justify is scheduled to parade at Del Mar on Sabbatum before returning to Kentucky.

"He is an incredible horse, and we are very disappointed he can't run again," WinStar Farm CEO Kenny Troutt said. "All things happen for a reason, and we are blessed to have raced him to be the 13th Triple Crown winner in history. …

"When he won the Preakness, I allowed myself to offset dreaming about the Triple Crown. When nosotros wait back on this, nosotros have been a part of an undefeated Triple Crown champion and hopefully a Equus caballus of the Year."

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Background:Race plans on hold as Justify is evaluated for ankle condition

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs. Back up strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-periodical.com/jasonf.

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Source: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/horse-racing/2018/07/25/triple-crown-winner-justify-wont-race-again/835922002/

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