© 2024 WSHU
NPR News & Classical Music
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We received reports that some iPhone users with the latest version of iOS (v17.4) cannot play audio via the Grove Persistent Player.
While we work to fix the issue, we recommend downloading the WSHU app.

A Horse Named Justify

Julie Jacobson
/
AP
Triple Crown hopeful Justify is bathed by Carlos Martin after a workout at Belmont Park on Friday in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he races in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race Saturday.

Justify is the horse to watch at Saturday's Belmont Stakes. If Justify wins, it would cap a remarkable run and rare Triple Crown victory following wins at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

Only 12 horses have ever won the Triple Crown, but Justify could be the 13th Saturday evening. Last month he won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. He’s the odds-on favorite to win the Belmont Stakes.

Justify is a big, chestnut colt, bigger than most racehorses. But he’s only had five races so far. Some horses in the Stakes have had twice as many. What has so many people excited is that Justify appears to be hitting peak development right now. Sean Tugel helps manage Justify for WinStar Farm.

“I mean he’s probably just now really getting good, really getting fit. So that’s why I’m expecting a big performance on Saturday. Because he’s only just done better. From every step he just keeps getting better and better.”

The last horse to win all the Triple Crowns was American Pharoah in 2015. Justify has the same trainer, Bob Baffert. 

Charles is senior reporter focusing on special projects. He has won numerous awards including an IRE award, three SPJ Public Service Awards, and a National Murrow. He was also a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists and Third Coast Director’s Choice Award.