Justify, the magnificent colt with an unbeaten streak, is recognized as one of the most exceptional thoroughbreds of all time. Trained by Bob Baffert, Justify won all six of his career races under three months, including the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic, to secure his place in racing history. The horse racing world is still abuzz with excitement, and the question arises: “Why is Justify considered the savvy coup of the horse racing world?” In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this banner accomplishment.
The Controversy Surrounding Justify
Although an indomitable champion, Justify’s legacy has not been entirely without controversy. In 2018, the New York Times reported that Justify failed a drug test after winning the Santa Anita Derby in April 2018, before the Kentucky Derby. Afterward, some people believed that Justify should have been disqualified from the Kentucky Derby.
The drug in question, scopolamine, is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and can also make a horse faster by suppressing tiredness. However, the California Horse Racing Board dismissed the charge against Justify, stating that the horse could have accidentally ingested the drug from contaminated feed rather than being intentionally doped. Some experts also argued that the amount of the drug in Justify’s system was so low that it might not have had a performance-enhancing effect.
Regardless of the controversy, Justify’s triumph in the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic remains an outstanding feat of athleticism.
The Triple Crown Win
The Triple Crown is a coveted honor where a horse must win three significant races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. The Triple Crown was last won in 2015 by American Pharaoh, which was also trained by Bob Baffert.
Justify’s Triple Crown victory was particularly remarkable, given that he won it as a “freshman” three-year-old and won all three races in a span of five weeks. Additionally, Justify’s lengthening strides and his controlled efforts by his jockey Mike Smith helped him win.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic
After Justify secured the Triple Crown, he went on to win the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic, a $6 million race held at Churchill Downs, Kentucky. This race was significant because it was Justify’s first time racing against older horses, and many people considered it an acid test of his ability. Despite a challenging racecourse, Justify completed the event in 2 minutes and 2.93 seconds, making him one of the few horses to win both the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year.
Conclusion
Justify’s career was both dazzling and brief, he won all six of his career races in less than 100 days, a feat no other horse has ever accomplished. Although some might view controversies with scrutiny, Justify’s seven wins, including the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic, in a span of only four months, cemented his position as one of the greatest horses to ever race. His legacy shall forever remain in horse racing lore, an unforgettable coup that has fascinated the horse racing world for ages to come.
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