Preakness - after thoughts

[DonGuido]

Justify was pressured and headed by Good Magic around just before the final turn I believe which was a mistake on his part (finishing 4th). I hope Chad keeps him out of the Belmont. He did all he could but put in a disappointing race. It as good for Justify to feel that pressure in a big race, it will serve him well next race out. Mike did not panic at that point .. . hey he's been in big races on exceptional horses before.

This again was Justify's toughest race but to me it came at the right time. He felt the pressure early with Good Magic and prevailed and he felt the pressure at the end (so did Mike) and he/they dug in a prevailed. What more can you ask for, from a these superb athletes?

Justify is not American Pharoah and he doesn't need to be. Perhaps the 3YO competition is better than AP faced . . . you could argue that easily. What an awesome race exciting to the end (fog discounted). If Justy is lucky it will rain again on Belmont day. We know he can handle it. But that is a whole different kind of race as we all know. If he's as good as many of us think he is, we'll see another Triple Crown winner and if he's not first and the wire he'll be fitting for it al the way. He does not like other horses to be in front of him at all.


I hope Bob gives him a week and a half just to be a horse, running around in the field and napping and eating and being taken care of like a puppy . . . a champion puppy at that. He needs a break from racing so he can recharge his engine (and what an engine) and come back in the Belmont and show us how great he really is. So far all I can say is, WHAT A RACE HORSE!!!

The hype will be way too much and the day of the race will be filled with pins and needled, stomach churnings and nail biting . . . and 150,00 plus at the track. NYRA, your got your wish again. And you have to believe Lukas will be there to try and be a spoiler some how.

Way to go Justy . . . you are very special!!!