Rob Carr, Getty ImagesJockey Mike Smith celebrates atop of Justify #1 the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9, 2018 in Elmont, New York. Justify becomes the thirteenth Triple Crown winner and the first since American Pharoah in 2015.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressJustify (1), with jockey Mike Smith up, crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 9, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y.
Patrick Semansky, Associated Press fileJustify, with Mike Smith aboard, wins the 143rd Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico race course in Baltimore. Justify, who won the first two legs, won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9, 2018, to complete horse racing's Triple Crown.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesJustify #7, ridden by jockey Mike Smith crosses the finish line to win the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Todd Olszewski, Getty ImagesJustify #7 ridden by jockey Mike Smith and the field come out of the starting gate during the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesPromises Fulfilled #3, ridden by jockey Corey Lanerie and Justify #7, ridden by jockey Mike Smith lead the field to the first turn during the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesJustify #7, ridden by jockey Mike Smith crosses the finish line to win the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Michael Reaves, Getty ImagesTriple Crown and Belmont Stakes contender Justify is bathed in the barn area after morning workouts prior to the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2018 in Elmont, New York.
Al Bello, Getty ImagesTriple Crown and Belmont Stakes contender Justify trains with Humberto Gomez up prior to the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2018 in Elmont, New York. ***BESTPIX***
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesTriple Crown and Belmont Stakes contender Justify trains with Humberto Gomez up prior to the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2018 in Elmont, New York.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressTrainer Bob Baffert watches Triple Crown hopeful Justify workout at Belmont Park, Friday, June 8, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he races in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressTriple Crown hopeful Justify is bathed by Carlos Martin after a workout at Belmont Park, Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he races in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Julio Cortez, The Associated PressTrainer Bob Baffert walks Justify, after the Triple Crown hopeful arrived at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Wednesday, June 6, 2018. The 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race is on Saturday.
Al Bello, Getty ImagesTriple Crown and Belmont Stakes contender Justify walks off his truck and led by trainer Bob Baffert into his barn after arriving prior to the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2018 in Elmont, New York.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressA thoroughbred, its trainer and exercise rider are reflected in a mud puddle as they walk back to the stable after a workout at Belmont Park, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he runs in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressA thoroughbred walks through a puddle on its way back to the stable after a workout at Belmont Park, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he runs in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressA groom bathes a thoroughbred after a workout at Belmont Park, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he runs in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressAn exercise rider guides a thoroughbred onto the track for a workout in the fog at Belmont Park, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he runs in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Julie Jacobson, The Associated PressAn exercise rider gallops a thoroughbred around the track during a workout at Belmont Park, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Elmont, N.Y. Justify will attempt to become the 13th Triple Crown winner when he runs in the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday.
Patrick Smith, Getty ImagesJustify #7 ridden by jockey Mike Smith wins the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesJustify #7 ridden by jockey Mike Smith celebrates after winning the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Todd Olszewski, Getty ImagesJustify #7 ridden by jockey Mike Smith leads the field before winning the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Patrick Smith, Getty ImagesJustify #7 ridden by jockey Mike Smith leads the field in the first pass the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Sean M. Haffey, Getty ImagesJockey Mike Smith poses for a photo in the winner's circle atop of Justify #7 after winning the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Rob Carr, Getty ImagesJustify #7, ridden by jockey Mike Smith crosses the finish line to win the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jamie Squire, Getty ImagesEventual winner Justify #7, ridden by jockey Mike Smith, leads the field into the first turn during the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Michael Reaves, Getty ImagesState of Honor runs on the track during morning training prior to the 143rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Rob Carr, Getty Images
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Jockey Mike Smith celebrates atop of Justify #1 the 150th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 9, 2018 in Elmont, New York. Justify becomes the thirteenth Triple Crown winner and the first since American Pharoah in 2015.
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By Amy Brothers | abrothers@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
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NEW YORK — Justify led all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by 1¾ lengths and become horse racing’s 13th Triple Crown champion and second in four years.
The chestnut colt is the second undefeated colt to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, improving to 6-0 in a racing career that began on Feb. 18. Seattle Slew was unbeaten when he won the Triple Crown in 1977.