Justify taking it easy as Baffert contemplates where to run him

CYPRESS, Calif. – Justify is having a cool time in the first week of July at trainer Bob Baffert’s stable at Santa Anita.

Without a defined race goal, Justify has been kept in light training in recent weeks, which will continue for the next several days.

“We gallop him one day and walk him one day,” Baffert said. “I’m just chilling with him.”

Justify, unbeaten in six starts, swept the Triple Crown in the spring. After winning the Belmont Stakes on June 9, Justify was shipped to Churchill Downs for a week and then to Baffert’s base at Santa Anita on June 17.

Soon, Justify and the Baffert stable based at Santa Anita will be bound for Del Mar, which opens its summer meeting July 18. The barn area opens on the weekend of July 14-15.

Baffert has not stated when Justify will have his next start.

Justify races for WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, and Starlight Racing and has earned $3,798,000. Justify has won four stakes, beginning with the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby prior to a sweep of the Triple Crown.

Baffert has two Grade 1-winning older females being prepared for races this summer.

Abel Tasman, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2017, is a candidate for the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on July 14 at Delaware Park, Baffert said. Abel Tasman, who worked a half-mile in 47.20 seconds at Santa Anita on Tuesday, won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes on June 9 at Belmont Park for her first win since last July.

Vale Dori, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational in 2017 but winless in her last five starts, worked a half-mile in 47.40 on Tuesday at Santa Anita. Vale Dori was third in the Santa Lucia Stakes on June 22 at Santa Anita, her third start of the year.

“She’s starting to wake up,” Baffert said. “She’s not where I want her to be.”

Baffert said he has not chosen a race for Vale Dori, who has won 9 of 19 starts.