Mint Julep Handicap Mint Julep Handicap The Mint Julep Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Usually run in May or June, the Grade III event is open to fillies and mares age three and older. It is contested on Turf over a distance of one and one sixteenth miles (8.5 furlongs). The race is named for the Mint Julep, a popular drink with racing fans at Churchill Downs, particularly seen on Kentucky Derby day. Beginning in 2001, the Mint Julep Handicap became the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap for sponsorship reasons. It currently
Justify (horse) the trainer of the last Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah in 2015, and followed a similar training regimen with Justify at Churchill Downs until shipping to New York a few days before the Belmont. Baffert noted that one of the main differences between the two horses was their attitude: American Pharoah is known as a kind, easy going horse whereas Justify is more dominant. "You have to watch him," said Baffert. "He likes to push you around. He's not a mean horse, but his patience level with people is, like, five seconds." The 2018 Belmont Stakes was run on June