LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Everybody can calm down now.
Justify was sent through a spirited gallop early Thursday at Churchill Downs in his first day of training since the colt won the 144th Kentucky Derby, allaying concerns that his bid for the May 19 Preakness at Pimlico will be hindered by the minor injury he incurred during the Derby.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Justify was scheduled to return to training Thursday at Churchill Downs as his connections continue to make assurances that the Kentucky Derby winner will not be hampered by the minor foot bruise he incurred in the race Saturday.
Jimmy Barnes, the Bob Baffert assistant who is overseeing Justify at Churchill, said Wednesday the colt was closely examined the previous day by veterinary staff from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and was cleared to resume training.
Quip has been confirmed to run in the May 19 Preakness, officials at Pimlico announced Tuesday afternoon.
Elliott Walden, president of WinStar Farm, one of Quip’s owners, had reserved judgment on whether to run Quip in the Preakness since Justify won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs. WinStar also is a co-owner of Justify.
Trainer Keith Desormeaux was hands-on Sunday morning, walking his standout 3-year-old My Boy Jack around the shed row and then holding him for his bath. He spoke with admiration for the colt who, he said, after a busy spring campaign and a major effort in the Kentucky Derby, will not run in the Preakness Stakes.
“This horse has got a heart of gold,” Desormeaux said. “I already had plenty of respect for him, but after yesterday, man. This horse, he is to be commended.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There were 19 horses who took on Justify in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, but by Sunday morning here at Churchill Downs, few trainers were even entertaining the thought of trying him again in two weeks in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, let alone committing to the race.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As Justify was brought out to meet an adoring throng on Sunday morning here at Churchill Downs, like a king granting an audience to his loyal subjects, the colt got a bit worked up from the attention and the constant clicks from the cameras.
“You better get used to this,” said trainer Bob Baffert, looking up at Justify from the other end of the lead shank. “This is your new life.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Good Magic, the runner-up to Justify in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, and the quartet of horses trained by Todd Pletcher – including third-place finisher Audible – all emerged from their efforts in good shape Sunday morning. While Pletcher is likely to focus on the Belmont Stakes with a couple of his horses, Chad Brown, the trainer of Good Magic, is leaving the door open for a potential start in the Preakness on May 19.
Laurel Park has five stakes Saturday, topped by the final local preps for the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan.
The winner of the $125,000 Federico Tesio, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds, will be assured entrance into the Grade 1, $1.5 million Preakness on May 19, and his owner will save $30,000 in entry and starter fees. The Tesio entrants include Diamond King, whom trainer John Servis would like to see advance to the Preakness, and Still Having Fun, a two-time local stakes winner, both for Tim Keefe.
