Justify returns home to California, eyes Haskell or Travers next

ARCADIA, Calif. – The only thing that can stop Justify these days is Southern California traffic.

On Sunday, Triple Crown winner Justify was flown from Kentucky to California and then vanned from Ontario International Airport to trainer Bob Baffert’s stable at Santa Anita. The early-afternoon trip from the Ontario airport to the stables was delayed briefly while the motorcade accompanying the horse van negotiated its way past a traffic accident despite police sirens blaring.

Upon arrival at Santa Anita, Justify walked off a Bob Hubbard horse van, complete with a custom-made emblem on its side celebrating the Triple Crown, and into the familiar surroundings of the Baffert stable.

With about 150 onlookers on the edge of the barn, many aiming mobile-phone cameras at the famous colt, Justify was walked for several minutes by Baffert’s assistant, Jimmy Barnes. For a colt unbeaten in six tightly bunched starts, including a comfortable win in the Belmont Stakes on June 9, Justify appeared to be in peak condition.

“He looks great,” said Baffert. “It’s good to see how he looks.”

Following his Triple Crown win, Justify is in the midst of a brief public relations tour. He was paraded at Churchill Downs on Saturday evening and is scheduled to make a public appearance between races at Santa Anita this Saturday.

Baffert said showing Justify to racing fans is a way of celebrating the colt’s success. Baffert said he remembered the enthusiasm racing fans showed when Horse of the Year Cigar raced at Del Mar in 1996.

“I was excited to get a chance to watch him,” Baffert said. “I thought, ‘When I get a good horse, I want to show him off.’ I’m a fan at the end of the day.”

Justify will resume training at Santa Anita this week for a summer campaign that may begin with the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 29, Baffert said. The Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 25 is another consideration.

“The Haskell is the first option, and the Travers,” Baffert said. “In a couple of weeks, we’ll breeze him back, and we’ll have an idea.

“We’ll sit down and figure it out. We’ll let the horse tell us.”

Justify races for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and Starlight Racing and has earned $3,798,000. Before the Triple Crown, Justify won his first three starts at Santa Anita, including the Santa Anita Derby in April.

“It’s impressive that he’s won six in a row and won them all convincingly,” Baffert said.