Critter Sitter's Blog: Thirteenth Triple Crown Champion in 100 Years

Justify became the winner of the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes today, and, doing so, became just the 13th 3-year-old colt to win the Triple Crown of American racing. He also joins Seattle Slew as only the second horse to win the Triple Crown undefeated. Breaking from the number one post position in a field of ten, the big chestnut colt led the way all around the race course. He was challenged twice, by Vino Rosso at the final turn, and by a hard-charging Gronkowski in the final furlong, but Justify had the grit and determination to kick on and win.
Gronkowski finished in second place 1 and 3/4 lengths behind Justify, and the same distance infront of Hofburg. Hofburg was a neck ahead of Vino Rosso, and they were followed across the finish line by Tenfold, Bravazo, Free Drop Billy, Restoring Hope, Blended Citizen and Noble Indy.
The fastest time ever in the Belmont was Secretariat's 2:24 in 1973. The times today were :23.37 for the first quarter mile; :48.11 for the half; 1:13.21 for three-quarters; 1:38.09 for the mile; and Justify crossed the mile and a half finish line in 2:28.18.
The payouts for $2 bets were s follows: Justify to win $3.60; Gronkowki to place $13.80; Hofburg to show $3.70; the exacta paid $89.00; the trifecta paid $459.48; and the superfecta paid $2,103.00.
Justify ran his first race in February of this year, and won by 9 1/2 lengths. At an early three years of age, he stands at 16.3 hands, and weighs 1,268 pounds. His sire, Scat Daddy was born in 2004, and died in 2015; Justify is from his last crop of foals. His dam is Stage Magic.
Here are photos of Justify, his sire, dam, and grandsires: