A Kentucky Derby-winning horse with Montecito connections finished in first place Saturday afternoon in The Preakness Stakes 2018.
It’s only been two weeks since "Justify" won the 2018 Kentucky Derby and now will go for the Triple Crown with a win in the 143rd running of The Preakness States.
On a sloppy track similar to the conditions in the Kentucky Derby, Justify improved to 5-0 and will go to the Belmont Stakes on June 9 looking to do the same thing American Pharoah did for Baffert in 2015.
With jockey Mike Smith in the saddle, Justify held off seven challengers to remain unbeaten and apparently giving trainer Bob Baffert his record-tying seventh Preakness victory.
It’s the sixth time in six tries that Baffert has won the Preakness after winning the Kentucky Derby. His seven Preakness victories matches the record set by R.W. Walden in the 1800s.
Justify was the first colt in 136 years to win the Kentucky Derby.
he race was in Baltimore, M.D., at Pimlico Race Course.
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Associated Press and KSBY News staff contributed to this report.
