Justa Warrior Another Runaway Winner for Justify

The impressive winners keep coming for undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify and on Friday, Justa Warrior (2f Justify x AZ Warrior, by Bernardini) joined the group with a five-length debut victory at Ellis Park.

Shadowing the leader for much of the 5 ½ furlong dirt race, the filly kept on the pressure throughout the run with only about a half length between them. By the time they crossed into the final quarter mile, Justa Warrior had her head in front and she was off.

The bay pulled away throughout the stretch to win going away as the fifth winner for her sire.

Trained by John Ortiz for Stone Bridge Farm, the filly was bred by Triemore Stud in Kentucky.

She is out of the Grade I-winning AZ Warrior, who already has two stakes performers from her four to race in the stakes winning Key to My Heart and stakes-placed Executive Chairman.

AZ Warrior is a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes winner Jojo Warrior, graded stakes winner and Grade I-placed EZ Warrior, and multiple stakes winner JZ Warrior.

The mare has a yearling colt by Justify to come and had an Uncle Mo colt this year, selling for $550,000 while in foal to that stallion at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale last fall.

Justify’s first runners have made a big splash with his three stakes performers and two graded stakes winners the best of any freshman sire. The crop is led by turf Group II winner Statuette and dirt Grade III winner Just Cindy, showing his versatility as a sire.