Aspen Grove Fourth Stakes Winner For Justify

It was graded stakes winner number three for undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify on Saturday when Aspen Grove (2f Justify x Data Dependent, by More Than Ready) won the Group III Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes.

Trained by Fozzy Stack as a homebred for Craig Bernick, the filly spent much of the one mile race near the rear of the field before jockey Mark Enright gave her the cue to go with just over a quarter mile left. Aspen Grove had her work cut out for her as she entered the final furlong but in the final sixteenth easily passed a trio of duelers to win by 1 ¼ lengths to break her maiden in the race.

The group she passed included another Justify daughter in Dame Kiri, who finished fourth.

Aspen Grove is the first foal out of Grade III-placed Data Dependent. That mare is a half-sister to Scat Daddy’s champion Skitter Scatter and stakes winner Victory Dance. Their dam is a half-sister to Group I winner Intense Focus as well.

Data Dependent also has a yearling colt by No Nay Never and foaled a Justify colt this year.

Justify is the sire of four stakes winners and five stakes performers overall from his first 25 runners.