MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY DALE CROSBY DALE AFTERGLOW Justify’s Derby Win ‘Just Sinking In’ for Baffert See page 4 IN THIS ISSUE 11 Pacific Wind Blows By the Competition in Ruffian Stakes 12 Bee Jersey Defeats Girvin in Steve Sexton Mile 14 Billesdon Brook Pulls 66-1 Upset in 1,000 Guineas BLOODHORSE DAILY Download the FREE smartphone app PAGE 1 OF 20 CONTENTS 4 Justify’s Derby Win ‘Just Sinking In’ for Baffert 11 Pacific Wind Blows By the Competition in Ruffian Stakes 12 Bee Jersey Defeats Girvin in Steve Sexton Mile 13 Fault Finds Just Enough in Adoration Victory 14 Billesdon Brook Pulls 66-1 Upset in 1,000 Guineas 15 Keiai Nautique Upsets in Tokyo’s NHK Mile 16 Results 20 Lists ANNE M. EBERHARDT ANNE M. ON THE COVER Justify on the backside of Churchill Downs the morning after winning the Kentucky Derby BLOODHORSE DAILY APP Providing updated news and analysis throughout the day. Plus view recent stakes, allowance and MSW race videos, entries and more! Download the free mobile app at BloodHorse.com/Daily BLOODHORSE DAILY Editorial Director Director of Advertising Sales John K. Keitt, Jr. Scott Carling BloodHorse Daily Editor Regional Sales Managers Claire Crosby Shirley Dievert Asst. Daily Editor Kristi Heasley Mary LaRue (Reeder) Ellen Lambertus Amanda Ramey Senior Bloodstock Columnist Bill Oppenheim Creative Services Kerry Howe Copy Editor Mark Sonka Digital Media Group Erin Morgan Visuals Director Christine Wittmer Anne M. Eberhardt Contact Us: Editor: [email protected] • Asst. Editor: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] EBERHARDT ANNE M. BLOODHORSE DAILY MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 PAGE 3 OF 20 JUSTIFY'S DERBY WIN 'JUST SINKING IN' FOR BAFFERT By Alicia Wincze Hughes t @BH_AHughes he expectations had been met Tin a fashion befitting their magnitude, leaving behind in the mud of the most famed racetrack in Thoroughbred racing all the pres- sure that had been sitting on Bob Baffert's shoulders since Feb. 18. As Justify hit the wire 2 1/2 lengths in front in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), validating all that was hoped for and said on his behalf, relief set in for his Hall BEARSE V. COURTNEY Trainer Bob Baffert speaks with the media after the 144th Kentucky Derby of Fame conditioner. The son of Scat Daddy delivered in the exact "That's why I never get ahead of take him there early? Do I wait? manner his connections dreamed, myself anymore. … Just enjoy the "It's been stressful for me and with a sunny backdrop to moment and take it all in," Baffert all week, coming in here with a work with May 6, Baffert led the said. "It's just sinking in now favorite that I knew was a real rust-colored colt out of his barn that we won the Kentucky Derby, favorite. I knew we had the horse, for the morning-after onlookers to because it was just so stressful but everything has to go well." admire—and let himself absorb the these last few weeks to get him The reflective mood Sunday significance of the moment. there. Trying to figure out … do I came easy for Baffert, a perk of having his fifth Kentucky Derby winner less than 24 hours earlier. With Justify showing positive signs the morning after he turned back champion Good Magic over the sloppy (sealed) Churchill Downs track, the conversation shifted to whether any rival could stymie the chestnut colt in the May 19 Preakness Stakes (G1) at DALE CROSBY Justify looks out from his stall at Churchill Downs the morning after taking the Run for the Roses (continued on page 6) BLOODHORSE DAILY MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 PAGE 4 OF 20 JUSTIFY’S DERBY WIN ‘JUST think the colt's run that day was as impressive as his SINKING IN’ FOR BAFFERT prior two outings. What he saw from his charge in the Kentucky Derby was another level to a horse he already (continued from page 4) deemed superior. In addition to having the mental soundness to Pimlico Race Course and prevent him from heading handle the wild atmosphere around him, Justify was to Belmont Park three weeks later with Triple Crown completely unfazed by the wet going Saturday, as he history on the line. prompted a wicked pace and still had more in reserve "I think we won the toughest one—the Kentucky to keep Good Magic at bay in the stretch. Derby, that's the toughest and most important one," "We saw another gear that we hadn't seen yet," Baffert said. "If he wins the Preakness, then after that Baffert said. "The Santa Anita Derby was OK, but it we'll see. But I'm not like, we're going to do this or that. wasn't like his second race. Yesterday, when I saw the We're going to take it one race at a time." fractions, I was like, any horse like that is going to lay Based on what Justify has shown since his debut at down or whatever. But he just kept on going. … The Santa Anita Park Feb. 18, it will either take a monster great ones do that. step forward from one of his rivals or a series of "It looked like it was nothing for him. When he unfortunate circumstances to prevent the budding came out of his stall this morning, he was pulling me superstar from making his expected time in Baltimore around there. He looks phenomenal today." the latest exhibition of his brilliance. Baffert said Justify would remain at Churchill As efficient as Justify looked when he put away Bolt Downs for the next week before shipping to Baltimore. d'Oro in the April 7 Santa Anita Derby (G1)—his first try against stakes company—Baffert said he didn't even (continued on page 8) empire maker MARES BRED IN FIRST TWO RETURN SEASONS: + 36 Grade 1 winners/producers + 94 graded winners/producers + 90% fertility each season BLOODHORSE DAILY MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 PAGE 6 OF 20 ABSOLUTE AUCTION 668 LANSING LANE MIDWAY, WOODFORD COUNTY, KY 125 +/- ACRES THURSDAY, MAY 10—10:00 A.M. Located in the highly-desirable Midway area, Avalon Farm offers one not only a prime location but an historic home that has been meticulously and authentically restored. This c.1840 Greek Revival (a mirror of his- toric Waveland) consists of approximately 6,570 square feet and contains four bedrooms and three and a half baths. Millions have been spent restoring this magnificent home to its present day grandeur. Featuring 12.5 to 13.5 foot ceiling heights and beautiful Ash, Poplar, and Cypress floors, the current owner has restored nearly every inch of this wonderful home utilizing master craftsmen. Geothermal HVAC has been installed along with all new plumbing, electrical, and re-pointing of brick work, stone foundation, and chimneys. All the interior woodwork has been done to exacting detail. Modern baths have been installed along with a gourmet kitchen with its original stone cooking fireplace plus an adjoin- ing butler's kitchen. The stone spring house has been restored, and a charming bar/game room has been added to the first level. The farm's 125 acres feature mature, tree-lined drives, and two older horse barns with 38 stalls. TERMS: 10% down and signed purchase contract day of sale, balance and deed within 30 days. Property is sold “as-is” with no warranty expressed or implied. A six percent (6%) Buyer’s Premium will be added to the fi- nal bid price to determine the total purchase price. OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, MAY 6—2:00-5:00 P.M. Walt Robertson, Auctioneer www.kyhorsefarms.com (859) 277-6188 (859) 255-3657 JUSTIFY’S DERBY WIN ‘JUST "I don't know what we're doing yet," said Brown, SINKING IN’ FOR BAFFERT who won last year's Preakness with Cloud Computing. "I want to get the horse back home and evaluate his (continued from page 6) energy level. He looks real sound this morning, but I'm not really committed at this point." He added that Solomini—who finished 10th under Trainer Todd Pletcher said all four of his Kentucky Flavien Prat—came back in good order and could turn Derby entrants came out of the 10-furlong test sound up in the Belmont Stakes (G1). and would also all ship to Belmont Park to regroup. If ever there was a race that has been good to the Grade 1 winner Audible was the best finisher of the white-haired one, however, it is the 1 3/16-mile middle bunch to get third, missing second by a head, with leg of the American classics. Of Baffert's six Preakness Vino Rosso (ninth), Noble Indy (17th), and Magnum wins, four were on the tail of a Kentucky Derby victory, Moon (19th) rounding out the efforts. including eventual Triple Crown winner American "Everyone seems OK—just a lot of dirt in their eyes, Pharoah in 2015. a lot of flushing out last night," Pletcher said. "Vino But it might be a small welcoming party waiting to Rosso, I don't think I've ever had a horse with as much take on Justify. dirt in eyes as he did after that race. We're still flushing Good Magic sat just off the early leaders and ran a it out this morning, but other than that, they were race good enough to win most editions of the Kentucky sound. Derby, inspiring more praise from his trainer Chad "Magnum Moon, I think (Instilled Regard) was Brown as the two-time Eclipse Award winner watched inside of him and didn't break great.