Another Triple Crown for Baffert

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Congratulations to RTIP Alumni Bob Baffert and all the connections of Justify, winner of the Belmont Stakes and racing's newest Triple Crown Champion.

Justify had to overcome the curse of Apollo - who in 1882 was the last horse to win the Derby without having raced at the age of two - to set the stage to join Seattle Slew as the only other undefeated Triple Crown winner.

The win makes Baffert only the second trainer in history to have two Triple Crown champions; the first was "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons with Gallant Fox in 1930 and Omaha in 1935. Baffert has been close in previous years, winning both the Derby and the Preakness with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2002 but broke through with the incredible American Pharoah in 2015 and now follows up with his new superhorse, Justify.

Justify's win in the Belmont Stakes also puts Baffert at the top of the list of most wins in Triple Crown races at 15, breaking the tie he held with D. Wayne Lukas at 14.