Patience is a virtue and for the connections of Troubled Justice, a year delay in racing has turned out to be the key that has unlocked two trips to the winner’s circle in two starts. Troubled Justice and Sammy Bermudez scored a win in their latest journey in the 13th running of the $75,000-added Snack Stakes at Indiana Grand.
“Greg (Justice) actually hand picked this horse out of his yearlings as the one to keep,” said Trainer Aaron West. “He did that once before and that horse also turned out to be a stakes winner.”
Troubled Justice started his race from post one in the eight-horse field over the turf running one mile. Nobody Listens and Joe Ramos were to their outside and shot straight to the lead as expected and kept the field at least two lengths off of them the entire way until the top of the stretch.
Around the final turn, A Few Too Many and Tommy Pompell saved ground by moving up the rail while Bermudez had Troubled Justice moving at a quick pace to join Nobody Listens for the stretch drive. Nobody Listens didn’t give up without a fight. He held onto the top spot as he was joined by the other two, but midway through the stretch, Troubled Justice had built up some pretty impressive momentum, striding by for the win by two lengths over Nobody Listens. A Few Too Many held strong for third.
“I had to move him a little in the turn because I didn’t want the speed to stay out there by himself,” said Bermudez of Nobody Listens. “I didn’t want to be too late to catch him. This is only the second time I’ve been on him, just in his two wins, and he has no problems. He’s good in the post parade and he’s good in the gate. I thank Aaron (West) and the owner for this opportunity.”
The opportunity Bermudez is referring to was being in the right place at the right time. In his first start, the scheduled jockey called off and Bermudez picked up the assignment, scoring the win. That effort led to him being aboard for the Snack Stakes and the duo are now two for two in their young career.
“Sammy (Bermudez) has ridden for me in the past,” added West. “There is never a doubt that he is going to give it his all when he rides, especially on a first-time starter, like in this horse’s first start. He listens and has done a great job with him.”
Bermudez was also greeted in the winner’s circle by his mother, who just arrived from his native Puerto Rico the night before.
“It’s really special to have her in the winner’s circle with me,” said Bermudez. “She has come up once a year the past couple of years to watch me. I love it.”
Troubled Justice is owned and bred by Greg Justice’s Justice Farm. The Indiana bred son of Dominus now has nearly $65,000 in career earnings in only two starts. Both West and Justice agreed to hold off on launching the gelding’s career until this season.
“He was so big, we just decided to be patient and wait,” said West. “We were two works away from running last year and we shut him down. Greg (Justice) has been good to work with on this horse and agreed to give him some time and just wait.”
