A career milestone for the undefeated Triple Crown hero Justify (USA) as the Bob Baffert-trained Arabian Lion captured the Gr1 Woody Stephens Stakes on the Belmont Stakes undercard.
Ridden by John Velazquez, Arabian Lion stalked the speed set by Federal Judge. Eased out three wide on turning for home, Arabian Lion powered to the line to defeat Drew's Gold (Violence) by one and three-quarter lengths, with Gilmore (Twirling Candy) three-quarters of a length back in third.
The winner of one of three starts at two, Arabian Lion arrived at Belmont off a four lengths win in the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico.
Baffert indicated the Gr1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 22 was on the radar for Arabian Lion.
"He's just a smaller version of Justify and to have a horse by Justify, one of the greatest horses I've ever trained, and to bring him to New York and win a Grade 1, that's what we're all in the game for," Baffert told BloodHorse.
“I'm just going to enjoy this Grade I victory. It's great to be back here. Nothing like winning in New York. It means so much to the horse and the connections, and I feel great about it.”
Bred in Kentucky by Bonne Chance Farm, Arabian Lion was a $600,000 buy for Gary Young, agent for Zedan Racing Stables, from the Hidden Brook consignment at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
The son of Justify (USA) is the best of four winners from five to race for the stakes-placed Distorted Humor (USA) mare Unbound.
Unbound is out of the AP Indy mare Possibility a half-sister to Gr 1 winners My Flag (Easy Goer), Miner's Mark (Mr Prospector), and Tradionally (Mr Prospector).
Possibility is the daughter of the Phipps family's champion racemare and magnificent matriarch Personal Ensign(Private Account).
From the first crop of Justify (USA), Arabian Lion is one of eleven stakes-winners for the son of Scat Daddy (USA), who returns to Coolmore Stud for the forthcoming season at a fee of $77,000.
