5th-SA, $56K, Alw/OC ($75K), 3yo, 1m, post time: 4:30 p.m. EDT
JUSTIFY (Scat Daddy), one of the most hyped debut winners in recent memory, looks to take the next step as he stretches out to two turns for the first time. The $500,000 KEESEP yearling thrashed his competition by 9 1/2 lengths when unveiled over seven panels here Feb. 18 on behalf of WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing.He earned a 104 Beyer Speed Figure and the 'TDN Rising Star' distinction for that effort, and was subsequently bought into by Head of Plains Partners and Starlight Racing. Trainer Bob Baffert opts to take blinkers off for this attempt, which would be a somewhat puzzling move if not for the Hall of Famer's past success making that move. A number of Baffert standouts including Dortmund, Bayern, Midnight Lucky, Dream Tree, Midnight Hawk and Mastery won their debuts before also shedding blinkers next time. TJCIS PPs
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