Friday’s Trackside Belmont Stakes Report

[Wandering Eyes]

ELMONT, NY – With a WPIX 11 helicopter providing on-the-scene aerial television coverage, Belmont Park was buzzing on the morning before unbeaten Triple Crown hopeful Justify (Scat Daddy)’s date with destiny.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert walked with China Horse Club’s Teo Ah Khing through the sun-splashed backstretch during the track renovation break as the big crowd-by far the largest of the week–began vying for position by the clubhouse turn gap at 8:30 a.m.

Just as American Pharoah had signaled in the mornings leading up to his Triple Crown sweep three years ago, Justify also seems to be thriving and getting even stronger throughout the grueling series. The mighty chestnut, favored at 4-5 on the morning-line for the 150th renewal of the GI Belmont S., galloped another 1 3/8 miles beneath Humberto Gomez with fantastic energy as Baffert watched through the binoculars alongside his wife Jill.

Justify’s high-powered ownership group was out in full force to watch the ‘TDN Rising Star’s’ final gallop ahead of the Belmont, including WinStar’s Elliott Walden and David Hanley; China Horse Club’s Eden Harrington, Michael Wallace and Mick Flanagan; SF Bloodstock’s Gavin Murphy and Tom Ryan; and Sol Kumin of Head of Plains Partners. Popular sportscaster Mike Tirico, who delivered a live report from Belmont’s paddock during Thursday evening’s Stanley Cup final on NBC, was also spotted taking in the action.

“This is what a trainer hopes to see the day before his horse runs,” Baffert said during his daily press briefing. “Coming off the track, he was just full of himself. He seems like he’s still improving. I know he’s going to show up and run his race. He looks no different than American Pharoah did coming in here.”

Justify will attempt to become racing’s 13^th Triple Crown winner at 6:46 p.m. Saturday. Only Seattle Slew has completed the sweep with an unblemished record.

“If he’s truly that great horse we think he is, he can do it,” Baffert concluded.

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