ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) - Justify vaulted into the role of probable Kentucky Derby favorite with a three-length victory over Bolt d'Oro in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

It wasn't a problem. Justify, ridden by Mike Smith, crosses the finish line to win the Santa Anita Derby horse race at Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 7, 2018, in Arcadia, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

"What you're seeing right now is really just raw talent," Smith said. "He's got so much room to grow and to even get better. If he moves forward off this race, which he should, then it's even kind of scary to talk about."

Baffert earned his record eighth Santa Anita Derby victory. It was Justify's first stakes race.

Bolt d'Oro returned $2.20 and $2.10, while Core Beliefs was another 6½ lengths back in third and paid $4 to show.

Bolt d'Oro and Javier Castellano chased Justify into the stretch turn. Castellano moved his colt down toward the rail and they ranged up on Justify's flank, but never seriously threatened. Justify continued to pull away approaching the finish line.

"He felt good, and did everything the right way," Castellano said. "Unfortunately, we were running against the best horse in the country."

Justify never raced as a 2-year-old and didn't make his debut until Feb. 18 at Santa Anita. He won by 9½ lengths and followed up that dominant showing with a 6½-length victory on March 1.

Baffert has compared Justify to his 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, citing the colt's imposing physical presence and his big stride.

"Justify is just a natural and he's just learning how to run," Baffert said. "He's quick and he's light on his feet."

"This is a good steppingstone," said Mick Ruis, who owns and trains Bolt d'Oro. "This is one we can build off and go to Churchill Downs."

At some point, Bolt d'Oro appeared to have grabbed his right front hoof, which was bloodied after the race.

Justify's performance more than made up for the disappointment.

"It takes a lot of the sting out of what happened to McKinzie," Baffert said. "It's a tough business, but we've just got to keep going."

The colt overtook Flameaway entering the stretch to win the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes by 1½ lengths and moved to the top of the Derby leaderboard that determines the 20-horse field with 134 points. Good Magic's performance reminded trainer Chad Brown of last fall's four-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar.

"I thought it was an outstanding performance," Brown said. "A very professional effort and he kicked home very strong."

His second career win in five starts followed up last month's third-place in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream in his 3-year-old debut.

"It was perfect," Ortiz said. "Everything went really well."

Vino Rosso survived a stewards' inquiry to win the $1 million Wood Memorial and earn 100 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby.

It appeared that Vino Rosso came over and bumped Enticed along the rail hard twice in the stretch. That prompted the stewards' inquiry and an objection but after video review, there was no change to the order of finish.
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