Many will argue that Justify’s head-to-head victory Saturday against the Ruis-trained star Bolt d’Oro in the $1-million Santa Anita Derby established an undisputed favorite in the Kentucky Derby. (photos by Tom Hogan/Hoganphotos)
The two most robust contenders for the first Saturday in May dueled from break to backstretch, until Justify found a late gear for a 3-length win that looked a whole lot more like two.
The thought of Justify navigating the congestion at Churchill Downs if he fails to break to the front only added to the intriguing what-ifs. That had more wheels turning in Camp Ruis.
One possible edge for Justify, it seems, is history. The Santa Anita Derby winner has won two of the last six Kentucky Derbies and half of the Preakness races during the same time period.
After the race, IBF, WBA, WBC, IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin handed over the winner’s trophy nearby.
