The latest Triple Crown winner JUSTIFY is taking a well deserved respite from racing.  The question for the thoroughbred racing world is, will he race again this year?  Or at all?  His connections sold his breeding rights to Coolmore Breeders for 60 million, plus an added 15 million dollar bonus for winning the Triple Crown.  So right there you’ve got 75 very large reasons not to race again and risk injury.

His connections, while not committing to any date, or track seem to be on board with him racing again this year.  Elliot Walden is president and CEO of WinStar Farms (the majority owner with 60%) indicates that JUSTIFY will take to the track again this summer.  “We’re looking forward to sharing him some more.  He’s become a household name, and I’m just as anxious to see him run again as you guys are.”

Trainer Bob Baffert was noncommittal about JUSTIFY‘s future, but seems eager to run him again if he remains healthy.  Some of the choices on the horizon would be The Haskell Stakes on August 8th at Monmouth Park.  This is a race Baffert horses have won eight times.  Maybe The Travers Stakes on August 25 at Saratoga.  Or perhaps ‘The Baff’ won’t venture far from his California base of operations and run JUSTIFY in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

All the tracks would love to have a Triple Crown winner on their grounds for a couple weeks during their respective summer meets.  It not only brings national attention to the track but it also does wonders for the gate and the gambling handle.  DRB will keep you up to speed on JUSTIFY‘s whereabouts, so come on back.