Justify Colt Runs Away with Ellis Park Derby

Big Truzz (3c Justify x Saralin, by Curlin) didn’t hesitate to make a big impression in the Ellis Park Derby on Sunday with a seven-length victory for his first stakes win.

Third in the Grade I Woody Stephens two starts ago, the Brian Lynch trainee raced over a mile here. He quickly made it clear he’d be a threat as he shadowed the leader through the early stages of the race.

Entering the final quarter, Big Truzz stepped up to challenge for the front spot and started pulling away going into the stretch. There was no chance for anyone else to challenge with Big Truzz pulling away to win by seven lengths at the line.

Racing for Flying Dutchmen, Big Truzz has hit the board in four of his five starts with a TDN ‘Rising Star’ debut in April.

The $300,000 Keeneland September yearling was bred by the Coolmore partners and Kaleen Shah out of Curlin mare Saralin.

That mare out of Group II winner Sarasota is a half-sister to Grade I winner Salutos Amigos and Sara’s Secret and half-sister to Group III placed Sun Goddess.

This is the 12 stakes winner of the year for Justify, tying for fourth among all North American sires alongside Gun Runner.