Justa Warrior Third Stakes Winner for Justify

Justify’s Justa Warrior (2f Justify x A Z Warrior, by Bernardini) became her sire’s third stakes winner on Sunday with a win in the Ellis Park Debutante Stakes.

Stretching to seven furlongs for her second start, Justa Warrior broke well to join a big group of horses racing for the lead. She ultimately settled for a spot a few paths off the rail at the tail of the leaders and bided her time.

That time came in the stretch as she gunned for the front in the final furlong. It didn’t take her long to grab it and pull away to a one-length victory to stay undefeated.

Trained by John Ortiz for Stone Bridge Farm, Justa Warrior was bred by Triemore Stud out of the Grade I-winning A Z Warrior. That mare now has three stakes performers from four winners with Justa Warrior joining the stakes winning Key to My Heart and stakes-placed Executive Chairman.

A Z Warrior is out of a prolific stakes producer herself in the multiple stakes-placed Carson Jen. That mare also produced multiple graded stakes winner Jojo Warrior, graded stakes winner and Grade I-placed E Z Warrior, and multiple stakes winner J Z Warrior.

A Z Warrior is also the dam of a yearling colt by Justify offered as Hip 145 in this year’s Keeneland September Sale. She 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 has seen four of his first runners win or place in stakes with Justa Warrior joining Group II winner Statuette and Grade III winner Just Cindy as his stakes winners.