Triple Crown winner Justify retires from racing

Justify is going out on top.

The Triple Crown winner has fluid in his left front ankle, and his trainer and owners have decided to retire him from racing, since it's unclear if he'll be healed by the fall. "What a way to go out," jockey Mike Smith told The Associated Press. "Never beaten, won the Triple Crown. He's happy, healthy. That's just beautiful."

Trainer Bob Baffert said Justify was taken out of training this month because of swelling in his ankle, which is responding slowly to treatment. They were planning on having Justify participate in a major race in the summer, with the goal of running in the Breeders' Cup Classic in November. When Justify won the Kentucky Derby, he became the first horse in more than 130 years to win after not racing as a 2-year-old, and he went on to become the 13th Triple Crown winner after also capturing the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. He is retiring with nearly $3.8 million in career earnings.

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