Triple Crown hero Justify (USA) sired his second Group winner when talented filly Just Cindy made it two wins from two starts when taking out the $175,000 Group III Schuylerville Stakes (6f) at Saratoga on Thursday.
A homebred for Clarkland Farm prepared by Eddie Kenneally, Just Cindy was an easy winner on debut at Churchill Downs and confirmed her potential when forging clear to win by two and a quarter lengths.
The Schuylerville is the first Group race run for juveniles in North America in 2022, so Just Cindy has precocity as well as ability.
“It was great and I think she’s still a little green too, so I think there’s a lot of raw talent there,” said Kelly Wheeler, assistant to winning trainer Eddie Kenneally.
“She’s an exciting horse to have in the barn. She kind of got knocked around a little bit and she stayed professional and ran on. It’s really all you can ask for in a second-time starter.”
Just Cindy is the first winner from stakes-winner Jenda’s Agenda, a half-sister to stakes-winner Miss Alacrity from Group II winner Just Jenda. It’s a big Black Type family with Champion 2YO Colt and Kentucky Derby winner Nyquisit and Group I winner Sahara Sky also on the page.
She is the second stakes-winner for Justify joining European based Statuette and is one of four winners from 10 starters for Justify, who has had a further four place-getters.
Not shuttling to Coolmore this spring, Justify will have his first Australian runners next season and they are already appearing in our leading stables as they progress from being broken in after the yearling sales this year where they sold for up to $1million.
He has 38 entries for the 2023 Golden Slipper and among them is the $1million colt from Maastricht with Hawkes Racing nominating the half-brother to dual Group I winner Loving Gaby.