‘Justify’-ing his worth

Justify with Mike Smith atop wins the the 143rd Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico race course in Baltimore. Photo here from AP.

Last weekend was one for hats – at the royal wedding Saturday and later at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes, in which Kentucky Derby winner Justify edged past Good Magic, then hung on to beat Bravaro and Tenfold. (At least that’s what seemed to happen. It was hard to see the horses for the fog on the rainy, muddy track.)

Can Justify become the first undefeated horse since Seattle Slew in 1977 to win the Triple Crown? Already the naysayers – the No, No Nanettes – are out in force, noting that Justify looked tired and just squeaked by Bravaro. But he got the job done, didn’t he? If the Yankees beat the Red Sox 1-0, they still win, don’t they?

Sometimes the test of a champion is not how much he can dominate but how much heart he has in adversity.

Justify has won the first two legs of the Triple Crown in deplorable conditions. I think he can take the Belmont Stakes on June 9.