Prouver Newest Winner for Justify

It was winner number 19 for Justify on Thursday when Prouver (2f Justify x Ready to Act, by More Than Ready) broke her maiden in her second start.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the gray filly was rated nearly four lengths off the leaders in the one-mile turf race as she bided her time. That time came as she went four wide through the turn and seven wide in the stretch to chase down those horses in front of her.

She proved to be determined to win with a late run getting her up by a nose just in time to be in front as they flashed under the wire.

Raced by Belladonna Racing, Edward Hudson, West Point Thoroughbreds, and LBD Stable, the WinStar Farm-bred filly was purchased by her racing owners for $310,000 from the Bluewater Sales consignment at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

She is out of the Grade II winning Ready to Act, who has already produced Grade III-placed Mubakker from her four foals. Ready to Act is one of four winners out of a full sister to Grade I winner Mast Tract and half-sister to Group I winner Jemayel and stakes winner Redbrook.

Justify’s 19 winners places him second among all freshmen by winners this year with his four stakes winners, three graded stakes winners, and five stakes performers the best of any freshman sire. His seven stakes performers also puts him second among all freshmen as well.