A stakes winner on Friday night followed up with a Thoroughbred Rising Star on Saturday morning is how Justify kicked off his weekend when Haffner (2c Justify x Earth Strike, by Zoffany) impressed at Newmarket to earn those honors. Stepping up to seven furlongs after a six furlong trip in his debut, the colt was allowed to go as easy on the lead as he pleased here. Ryan Moore didn’t ask him for his best until they hit the final furlong and Haffner dug in to win by a length and a half. Bred by D J Stables and the Justify Syndicate, Haffner is trained by Aidan O’Brien for Peter Brant, the Coolmore partners, Westerberg and B Smith. “He did it very well, he ran a nice race behind Abraham Lincoln first time and Ryan said it was very smooth,” said Coolmore’s Paul Smith. “He loved the ground and has a nice temperament, so there's a lot to like about him. He enjoyed the seven furlongs and he will get further in time, but those better races are all open to him now. It looks like he is a stakes horse going forward.” A $375,000 Keeneland September yearling last year, Haffner is the second foal out of the stakes placed Earth Strike, who now has two winners from two to race. She’s out of the successful broodmare Another Storm, who was a winner and went on to produce multiple Group 1 winner and Coolmore stallion Order of St. George, Grade 3 winners Angel Terrace and Asperity and stakes winner Sehoy in addition to the Grade 3-placed Kellstorm. Haffner’s third dam Storm Song was a U.S. champion and saw multiple daughters produce stakes horses as well. Earth Strike returned to Justify last year and produced a filly this term.