Justify lifts ‘curse of Apollo’ to win Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Ridden by Mike E Smith, the race favourite delivered an impressive performance in wet and muddy conditions in front of a crowd of 157,813 to win the historic race billed as the ‘greatest two minutes in sports’ and the first leg of the American Triple Crown.

It was a fifth victory for Baffert in the coveted Group One race at Churchill Downs whilst Smith was winning it for the second time, having first triumphed in 2005.

Victory also meant Justify lifted the so-called ‘curse of Apollo’ in becoming the first horse since 1882 to win the race for three year olds without having run as a two-year-old.

Another Kentucky Derby hoodoo remains fully intact though in that no European-trained horse has ever won as the Aidan O’Brien colt Mendelssohn finished in a disappointing last place under jockey Ryan Moore.

Justify went a long way to winning the 144th running of the $2.2 million event at the start as he broke quickly once the gates opened and was able to settle into stride just outside the speedy front-runner Promises Fulfilled. Smith ensured his mount was always close to the fast pace that was set, before taking over the lead on the far turn, a position he did not look like losing.

From there, it was a case of grinding out the gallop down the final stretch and Justify did this with some distinction, beating last year’s two-year-old champion Good Magic by two and a half lengths, with Audible the same distance away in third.

Mendelssohn was considered the best chance of a first European winner in America’s most celebrated horse race, but banged about by other horses after a slowish break and never a serious factor thereafter before dropping further back through the field and trailing in last.

Speaking afterwards, Baffert said, “When he got away clean, I felt we had a chance. I knew there was going to be a hot pace, but he was doing it easily.

“It took a great horse to do what he did today.

“I’m glad it’s over. This track really had me worried, I was nervous all day.”

An understandably jubilant Smith said, “Going into the race the main concern was just getting him out of the gate.

“It was a sigh of relief when I got him out of the gate and I just stayed out of his way. Bolt D’Oro came to my outside the first time by the wire and I figured if we were going fast up front, they’re going fast behind me as well.

Referring to Justify, Smith added “He’s just something else. I can’t describe how special this horse is. He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s just well above average and he’s got the mind to go with it. For such a young horse he’s just so big and talented.”

With the Kentucky Derby under its belt, Justify will now aim for the American Triple Crown with the second leg, the Preakness Stakes, on 19 May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Also on the packed card at Churchill Downs was the Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes which saw John R Velazquez ride Proctor’s Ledge to a narrow victory.

Velazquez went one better than his second place in Friday’s Longines Kentucky Oaks as the Brendan P Walsh-trained filly came in half a length clear of On Leave in second, with race favourite Dream Awhile a further length back in third.