New Justify SW Highlights Super Successful Nick
Outstanding young sire Justify posted a new juvenile stakes-winner in North America on the weekend when Just Steel (2c Justify x Irish Lights, by Fastnet Rock) captured the $222,505 Listed Ed Brown Stakes (6½f) at Churchill Downs.
Trained by D Wayne Lucas, Just Steel has had a busy season with a win and two placings from six previous starts, but soared to a new level with his first Black Type victory.
Just Steel was strong to the line winning by two and a half lengths.
A $500,000 Keeneland September purchase, Just Steel is a half-brother to Group II winner Omei Sword (dam of Muramasa) and stakes-winner Lipizzaner being the third stakes-winner among five winners from five foals to race out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I MRC Thousand Guineas winner Irish Lights.
Another Justify colt from Irish Lights sold at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this year for $250,000.
Just Steel is the 23rd stakes-winner for Justify and is his third from a daughter of Fastnet Rock, the nick has produced 11 winners from 13 starters so runs at 84.6% winner to runner and 23% SW to runner!