Justify made history Saturday as he became the first horse in 136 years to capture the Kentucky Derby after going unraced as a 2-year-old. | Photo: Churchill Downs

History was made at Churchill Downs on Saturday as Justify became the first horse in 136 years to capture the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) after going unraced as a 2-year-old. Sent off as the 5-2 favorite on a rainy day in Louisville, Kentucky, the undefeated son of the late Scat Daddy gave Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a fifth Derby trophy.

Justify broke cleanly from post 7 and secured a prominent position shadowing pacesetter Promises Fulfilled through a scorching pace on the sloppy track. Under Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, whose only prior Derby score came with 50-1 upsetter Giacomo in 2005, Justify was traveling with his customary ease despite the fast fractions—including a half-mile in a blazing :45.77.

After putting Promises Fulfilled away, Justify forged ahead. Then Good Magic, last year’s champion 2-year-old male, launched a challenge turning for home. At that moment, thoughts turned to the weight of history stacked against Justify. No unraced 2-year-old since Apollo in 1882 had gone on to win the Kentucky Derby the following spring, and that “Curse of Apollo” loomed down the length of Churchill’s stretch