Justify Wins Kentucky Derby, Eyes Triple Crown

In an American tradition that started in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is a 1.25 mile race where only 3 year old thoroughbreds are allowed to enter. It is the first leg of 3 that kicks off the Triple Crown and is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States.

This is the 6^th year in a row the favorite has won at Churchill Downs. Record-breaking rains created a sloppy track, but that didn’t stop Justify from finishing in 2:04.20, two and a half lengths in front of Good Magic. This is trainer Bob Baffert’s fifth Kentucky Derby victory and jockey Mike Smith’s second.

 

Justify went into the race undefeated, and became the first horse to break the 136 year old “Curse of Apollo”. In 1882, Apollo was the last horse to win who did not race as a two-year-old.

“It would take a horse like him to break that curse. I don’t have the words to describe what makes this horse so special. He is just so big and talented. He has got the mind for it.” –Jockey Mike Smith

Payout

The 2018 Kentucky Derby came with a prize purse of $2 million, with Justify and crew taking home a cool $1,432,000.

Program number	Horse name	Win	Place	Show
7	Justify	$7.80	$6.00	$4.40
6	Good Magic	–	$9.20	$6.60
5	Audible	–	–	$5.80

• $2 Exacta: (7-6) $69.60
• $0.50 Trifecta: (7-6-5) $70.70
• $1 Superfecta: (7-6-5-15) $19,618.20
• $1 Super High Five: (7-6-5-15-10) $183,580.20

 

Up Next

Justify is looking ahead to the next leg, the Preakness, held in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 19^th. Bet365 has him at 4/9 to win, taking him one step closer to completing the treble. The most recent Triple Crown winner was in 2015 with American Pharoah, also trained by Baffert.

After the Preakness, you can place your bets on the final leg at the Belmont Stakes.

Bet on Justify at Bet365!