Justify Colt Romps to Virginia Derby Victory

The D. Wayne Lukas trained American Promise (3c Justify x Tapella, by Tapit) made a huge impression in Saturday’s Virginia Derby when he romped to a 7 ¾ length victory to earn 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Making his third stakes start in the 1 1/8 dirt race as the race made its debut on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the colt was raring to go. Soon out of the gate, jockey Nik Juarez engaged the Bob Baffert trained race favorite Getaway Car, who had immediately jumped to the lead. American Promise wasn’t willing to let that one relax on the front end, pushing him every step of the way until Getaway Car gave up the lead coming into the turn.

Juarez set the colt down in the stretch and American Promise eagerly responded, expanding his lead with every step. By the time they hit the wire, there was only one horse within 8 ½ lengths of him and that one was 7 ¾ lengths behind.

A $750,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase by racing owner BC Stables, the colt was offered by his breeder Candy Meadows.

This is the second stakes winner out of two-time winning Tapit mare Tapella, who also produced the Grade II winner Hoosier Philly. Tapella is out of the stakes winning Princess Arabella, whose four winners include Grade II placed Ulele.

Tapella had a Munnings filly in 2023, who was retained by her breeder.

Justify’s five stakes winners in 2025 is second best among all Northern Hemisphere stallions and sits just one behind the leaders.