Justify, Solomini turn in final works for Kentucky Derby 144

Bob Baffert’s dynamic 3-year-old colts Justify and Solomini had their final pre-Kentucky Derby (G1) workouts at Santa Anita Park, with Justify working on April 27 and Solomini working on April 29.

Both colts are scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon. 

Justify covered seven furlongs in 1:25 1/5 on Friday morning.

After the work, Baffert commented on working at Santa Anita rather than at Churchill Downs. “This track at Santa Anita is a very deep, demanding track and they get really fit here,” Baffert said. “We’ve shipped all over and I don’t think there’s a big difference. We used to go there a few weeks early but last year we went in the week before and won the Kentucky Oaks (G1, with Abel Tasman). I don’t think it makes a difference.” 

Justify has been nothing short of brilliant in his three starts, earning a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure each time. In recent reports, Kentucky Derby odd-maker Mike Battaglia has said Justify will likely be the morning line favorite when post positions are drawn on Tuesday, May 1.

Solomini, the hard-luck colt who was disqualified from a win in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), went six furlongs in 1:14 3/5. “The talent is there, but he’s going to have to get some breaks go his way,” Baffert said. “He’s been training well, looks happy, came out of the last race well.” 

Solomini has never finished worse than third in six career starts, including four Grade 1 events. 

A win by either colt would give Baffert his fifth victory in the Run for the Roses.