Justify out to become only the 12th horse to win the US Triple Crown

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Bob Baffert-trained Justify is even-money favourite to become only the 12th horse to win the US Triple Crown on Saturday night.

Having already won the mile-and-a-quarter Kentucky Derby and nine-and-a-half furlong Preakness Stakes under jockey Mike Smith, the unbeaten colt lines up against nine opponents in the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes.

The only horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the US Triple Crown was American Pharoah (2015) who, like Justify, was trained by Baffert.

Bob Baffert-trained Justify is even-money favourite to win the US Triple Crown on Saturday

Meanwhile, Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Russell, who won the National at Aintree last year with One For Arthur, was awarded the honour for services to horseracing. 

The 51-year-old, who trains near Kinross, said: ‘It came as a shock, but it’s really nice to think that horseracing has been recognised.’