Hard To Justify Wins Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

One race after siring the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, Justify was back with the winner of the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Fillies Turf when Hard to Justify (2f Justify x Instant Reflex, by Quality Road) took home her first Grade I victory.

Much like Just F Y I on the dirt, Hard to Justify tracked the leader in the one-mile turf race as she settled a few paths wide under Flavien Prat. Prat moved her closer in the first turn to settle Hard to Justify just half a length behind the leader until the tide turned in the stretch.

At the top of the stretch, Hard to Justify had a brief moment when she dropped back but quickly re-rallied and shot through a hole between horses to win by half a length.

Winning the Grade II Miss Grillo Stakes last out, Hard to Justify is now undefeated in three starts for Chad Brown and Wise Racing.

“She’s a very progressive horse who has proven she can overcome trouble. She’s really very advanced for her age, mentally, and had that physical toughness to overcome a brutal trip in her first race, making a couple different runs during the race to get up,” said Brown. “I thought maybe [today’s] post would do her in, but I knew she had some fight in her. It’s just a matter of when he wanted to use that last bit of energy that she would have. Sure enough, she had plenty; more than I thought.”

Bred by Yeguada Centurion S.L., Hard to Justify is out of Grade III placed Instant Reflex. That mare is one of three stakes performers out of Without Delay with the mare a half-sister to Grade III placed Before You Know It and Tarantino.

The family also includes Grade I winner and champion Starman, Grade II winner King Guillermo, and Grade III winners Slow Pace and Funny Duck.

Hard to Justify’s dam had an Uncle Mo colt last year as well.

Justify has now had four of his juveniles win five Grade I winners between them since October 1. His six Grade I winners overall this year ties for the best among all North American sires and is third among all Northern Hemisphere sires.