Triple Crown-Winner Justify Retired From Racing

(LEX 18) — Justify, the undefeated 2018 Triple Crown Winner, has been retired from racing, his owners and trainer announced Wednesday.“Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he is just not responding quick enough for a fall campaign,” trainer Bob Baffert said in a statement. “We all wanted to see Justify run again, but ultimately it is my responsibility to make sure he is perfect. Without 60-90 days, I can’t be definite.”Justify broke the Curse of Apollo by winning the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2018, becoming the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without starting as a 2-year-old. He went on to win the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Justify was the first undefeated Triple Crown winner since Seattle Slew.The horse was owned and operated by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC, and Starlight Racing.“He is an incredible horse and we are very disappointed he can’t run again,” WinStar Farm’s Kenny Troutt said in a statement. “All things happen for a reason, and we are blessed to have raced him to be the 13th Triple Crown winner in history.”