Baffert colt can justify hype in Kentucky Derby says riding legend McCarron

Ryan Moore might have decided to miss the Qipco 2,000 Guineas to ride Mendelssohn in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, but Jutisfy - the horse vying for favouritism with British bookmakers alongside Aidan O'Brien's contender - would be the pick of US riding legend Chris McCarron.

Hall of Fame jockey McCarron enjoyed success in his nation's biggest race when Alysheba struck in 1987 and he followed up on Go For Gin at Churchill Downs seven years later.

Taking a look at this year's Classic, in which Mendelssohn bids to become the first overseas-trained winner, McCarron sided with the highly regarded chestnut Justify.

A son of Scat Daddy, he is trained by Bob Baffert - a four-time Derby winner - and is unbeaten in three, winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on his last appearance.

"Right now I'm looking at Justify," said McCarron, weighing room royalty in the States.

"If my agent were to come to me and say, 'Of these colts which one do you want to ride?' He'd be the one because he's got good natural speed and he stays up close, which will enable him to stay out of trouble.

"The only downside is he's unseasoned, he's never had dirt in his face and he's only run three times, although he's been very impressive all three.

"He did have to fight a little bit last time out, but he appears to be the most talented of the bunch and Bob Baffert certainly seems to love him."

Watch Mendelssohn win at Dundalk in March

Justify can be backed for the 1m2f Grade 1 with Ladbrokes and Coral at 9-2, which is the same price bet365 and Betfred make impressive UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn.

Moore, who has never hidden his desire to win the $2 million Longines-supported event, will miss a leading chance on either Gustav Klimt or Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, but it will be worth it if he is successful, McCarron suggested.

Asked for the sweetest moment of his stellar career, the 63-year-old, who rode 546 winners in his first full year as an apprentice as also has the Preakness and Belmont Stakes, as well as five Breeders' Cup Classics, on his CV, added: "The Derby for sure. It's not even close.

"I won it twice and think the first one was a little more exciting simply because it was the first and the feeling of exhilaration is mind-boggling."

Read a Q&A with Chris McCarron in next week's RPSunday