Justify battled to a Preakness Stakes victory, the second leg of the Triple Crown, holding on from Bravazo at a very wet Pimlico under Mike Smith on Saturday.
The betting suggested it was a match race, with Justify sent off the 2/5 favourite with Good Magic, runner-up to Bob Baffert's horse in the Kentucky Derby, second in the betting at 3/1.
For most of the contest the duo had the race to themselves up front on the sloppy Pimlico track, Good Magic making Justify fight hard for the lead as they turned into the home stretch in foggy conditions.
However, once Justify fought off Good Magic there were two late challenges from Bravazo and Tenfold, the Kentucky Derby hero prevailing from the former in a close finish. Good Magic faded into fourth.
Just one step away from the Triple Crown - Justify wins the @PreaknessStakes! pic.twitter.com/ZcQihtBiRl
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 19, 2018
All roads lead to Belmont Park for the Belmont Stakes now in two weeks' time, with Justify bidding to follow in the hoofprints of American Pharoah, Baffert's 2015 Triple Crown hero.
American Pharoah was the first horse to complete the US Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978, with Justify bidding to become the 13th horse to achieve the feat.
"That was a nail biter," said Baffert in the aftermath of the contest. "They put it to us, had their own private match race. I'm so happy we got it done. He's just a great horse.
"The talent is right there, but he's had to really work for it. It was a great horse race, Good Magic made us work."
🇺🇸 Justify wins the #PreaknessStakes under Mike Smith and remains on course for the US Triple Crown! 🏇
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) May 19, 2018
🏆 Kentucky Derby ✅
🏆 Preakness Stakes ✅
🏆 Belmont Stakes (June 9)❓
🤔 Can the Bob Baffert star become the 13th horse to do it? pic.twitter.com/3Crinwcseu
