Justify’s Rarify Proves Best at Keeneland

Regally bred Rarify (2f Justify x Bella Jolie, by Broken Vow) visited the Keeneland winner’s circle on Thursday with a 3 ¾ length Maiden Special Weight victory.

Trained by Wesley Ward, the filly suffered a bump out of the gate and settled in fourth about five lengths behind the leader in the 5 ½ furlong dirt race once in stride. Racing wide down the backstretch, Rarify went even wider around the turn to be eight paths wide in the stretch.

Joel Rosario showed he was confident in his mount’s ability and she proved him right when she took over the lead as the field entered the final furlong. From there, she coasted to a 3 3/4 length win with the third placed runner nine lengths behind.

A $775,000 Keeneland September purchase by M.V. Magnier from the Gainesway consignment last year, Rarify is raced by Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg and the Coolmore partners.

Bred by Stonetstreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Rarify is a half-sister to champion Runhappy and four other winners out of Bella Jolie. That mare is a half-sister to stakes winner Millennium Storm and two other stakes performers with one of those also producing multiple stakes winner Isabelle.

Justify’s 21 winners are second best of all freshman sires while his four stakes winners, three graded stakes winners, five graded stakes winners, and one Grade I performer lead his generation.