Justify remained unbeaten as he won the 2018 Belmont Stakes and, at the same time, became racing's 13th Triple Crown winner. | Photo: Photo: Susie Raisher/NYRA

After rewriting the record book in the Grade I Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, undefeated Justify completed his history-making conquest of the Triple Crown in Saturday’s Grade I Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, in Elmont, New York.

The first Triple Crown winner to begin his racing career as a 3-year-old, and just the second unbeaten horse to sweep the series after Seattle Slew (1977), the 4-5 favorite handed Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record-breaking 15th win in a Triple Crown race. Baffert, who trained American Pharoah to break the 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015, also joined the late Hall of Famer James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons as the only horsemen to condition two Triple Crown winners. Fitzsimmons sent out Gallant Fox (1930) and his son Omaha (1935).

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who guided Justify throughout the Triple Crown, won his seventh American classic as he delivered a well-judged ride on the chestnut. Hustling to the lead from his rail post, he had to use some energy in the opening quarter-mile but then slowed the pace down and kept plenty in reserve for the homestretch