Justify had what trainer Bob Baffert termed a “good day” in his final exercise before Saturday’s bid for a Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes.
Trainer Joe Pierce, Jr., a Monmouth Park fixture, passed away Thursday at age 90.
Bonus Points was clearly best in last year’s Maryland Million Classic and will take a step towards a defense in a Laurel Park allowance on Saturday.
Justify had his first trip around the Belmont Park oval and left trainer Bob Baffert more than pleased with what he saw.
The Totally Thoroughbred horse show, originally scheduled for July 7, will now take place at Pimlico October 7, delayed as a result of heavy rains in recent weeks.
Justify has been installed as the 4-5 favorite for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, where a win will secure a Triple Crown for the undefeated Bob Baffert trainee.
The Arnaud Delacour trainee Special Envoy swept three Va-bred route stakes last year and is training towards a try at a repeat in 2018.
Saturday’s Penn National card features two turf sprints — the Penn Ladies Dash and Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup — also part of the MATCH Series.
On Saturday’s “Off to the Races” radio show we’ll be talking Penn Mile, Delaware Park, Belmont Stakes, and more.
Multiple-graded stakes winner Maraud has been installed as the 5-2 favorite in the G2 Penn Mile, the feature on Penn National’s richest day.