Justify Claims Kentucky Derby Despite Sloppy Track

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Published on May 7 2018 6:32 am
Last Updated on May 7 2018 12:31 pm
Written by Millie Lange

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Justify, ridden by jockey Mike Smith, won on the wettest day ever at Churchill Downs to take the Kentucky Derby.

With a 4-0 record, Justify did not run as a 2-year-old and trainer Bob Baffert earned his fifth Derby win. Justify finished with a time of 2:04.20 and a 2 1/2 length victory on the sloppy track where 2.5 inches of rain fell on Saturday.

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners, owners, picked up $1,432,000 after buying Justify for $500,000.

Finishing second was Good Magic and Audible was third. Instilled Regard took fourth with My Boy Jack fifth and Bravazo sixth.

Hofburg, a horse owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by former Toledo's Scott Walker, finished seventh.

Hofburg ran once as a two-year-old and was fourth. He won his first start this year as a three-year-old. He ran second in the Florida Derby. Hofburg entered the race as a 20-1 long shot.