The Triple Crown is the rarest of all feats on the North American sports ledger. With his victory at The Belmont Stakes Yesterday, Justify did just that. The horse, owned by primarily WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing, was being sought after for his breeding rights well before his career had come to a close. Prior to the race, after winning both The Preakness and the Kentucky Derby, the horse's evaluation sat at $60 million, but after the win this Saturday, the price tag rose another $15 million, bringing his value to a startling $75 million.
Justify became only the 13th victor of the Triple Crown, withstanding a late rush by a horse partially owned by New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski. It just so happens the race horse owned by the Tight End also went by his name of "Grownkowski," striking new blood into a sport steeped in established upper-class yada yada.
In 2015, another horse manned by trainer Bob Baffert rode to glory. American Pharaoh ended a near Four-Decade dry spell in which championship caliber horses nearly missed the mark. All three races that make up the Triple Crown vary in distance, so a horse known for its blistering pace might fare better at The Preakness where the distance is less enduring. $75 million is no figure to scoff at.
