Just Steel Justify’s Latest Juvenile Stakes Winner

D. Wayne Lukas-trainee Just Steel (2c Justify x Irish Lights, by Fastnet Rock) became the eighth juvenile stakes winner of the year for his sire on Saturday with a victory in the Ed Brown Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The juvenile didn’t get off to the easiest of starts in the 6 ½ furlong dirt race and was forced to chase four-wide with jockey Joel Rosario starting to urge him on half-way through the race. Continuing to stay wide throughout, he flew into the stretch in the five path and gunned for the lead.

The colt had command of the race with a furlong left to go and pulled away from there to win by 2 ½ lengths for BC Stables.

Now the earner of $240,795, Just Steel was a $500,000 yearling purchase last year for his owner. He was bred by Summerhill Farm out of the Group I winning Irish Lights.

Winning multiple group stakes in Australia, Irish Lights is also the dam of Group II winner and Group I-placed Omei Sword and Uncle Mo’s stakes winner Lipizzaner. Omei Sword is off to a successful broodmare career of her own as the dam of Group III winner Muramasa. The family also includes Japanese champion Asia Express.

Still located in the U.S., Irish Lights had a Justify colt last year with that one selling for $250,000 at this year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Justify is the best juvenile sire in North America this year, leading in every stakes category with his four juvenile Grade I winners three better than any other side.