Justin Squared eager to run in Woody Stephens
ELMONT, N.Y. – Following Justin Squared’s victory in the Chick Lang Stakes three weeks ago, trainer Bob Baffert sent the undefeated 3-year-old back to Southern California with the intent of running him next at Del Mar.
But in subsequent training, Justin Squared showed Baffert that he can’t wait that long to run him. So, he turned him right around and shipped Justin Squared across the country for Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park.
“He’s really a tough horse,” said Baffert, who trains Justin Squared for Zayat Stables. “I think he handled everything really well. It’s a 3-year-old race worth $500,000, and he was still really strong. I don’t see any effects of the race at all.”
Justin Squared is one of 13 3-year-olds entered in the Woody Stephens. His blinding speed – jockey Martin Pedroza compares him with the three-time Grade 1 winner Private Zone – has enabled him to go 3 for 3. Those races were at six furlongs or shorter; the Woody Stephens is at seven furlongs.
“I’d rather keep him six, but he’s running with 3-year-olds, he’s still going to be fast early,” Baffert said.
There are other fast horses in the field, too. Sharp Azteca, trained by Jorge Navarro, has won three straight, including a 2 1/2-length tour de force in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile. He drew the rail, which means jockey Joe Bravo likely will have to send away from there.
Imperial Hint, who was actually in front in the Pat Day Mile before fading to 12th, and I Will Score, a front-running winner of the Grade 3 Laz Barrera at Santa Anita, also have plenty of early speed.
Seymourdini is coming off a front-running allowance victory going a mile at Aqueduct. Trainer Linda Rice opted for this race over the Easy Goer and believes her horse will come from off the pace under Jose Ortiz.
“I just feel like we’re better off trying him shorter and let the true speed horses run away from us,” Rice said.
Dig Deep, Counterforce, and Awesome Gent are off-the-pace types who figure to be coming in the stretch late.
Woody Stephens, Race 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Justin Squared, by Zensational
Last 3 Beyers: 90-90-86
◗ Speedy son of Zensational fired two bullet works in five days at Santa Anita after winning Chick Lang Stakes by two lengths at Pimlico on Preakness Day.
◗ Looms the main speed but must carry it a furlong farther than he has done previously.
Dig Deep, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 95-94-86
◗ Comes off two big-figure victories over far lesser but may have the right running style for this spot.
“Hopefully, he’s not way out of it. Maybe he can be fourth or fifth,” trainer Alan Goldberg said. “He’ll run into the dirt. Seven-eighths should suit him. I think he’s got a shot.”
Awesome Gent, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 76-72-100
◗ His form is dirtied up by two poor performances in the slop, but he comes in with the only triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure, earned over a fast track in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes in March.
“I think his Jimmy Winkfield fits from a figure standpoint,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He stepped up in class after that, but the track was sloppy, and we didn’t seem to think he handled it.”
Sharp Azteca, by Freud
Last 3 Beyers: 95-85-88
◗ Reeled off three straight wins at mile for trainer Jorge Navarro and has the speed to overcome his poor rail draw.
“That horse is coming around really good,” Navarro said. “Joe Bravo’s been around this business a long time. He keeps telling me how good this horse is. He came out of his last race really good.”