Just Might Uncatchable in Thanksgiving Classic

The outside draw gave jockey Colby Hernandez options, but seeing Just Might 's effort in the 97th running of the $150,000 Thanksgiving Classic, it didn't seem to matter. There was no asking needed—only the powerful strides of the multiple stakes winner on display in the opening day feature at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Bred and owned by Griffon Farms and trainer Michelle Lovell, the 5-year-old Justin Phillip  gelding broke sharply and charged to the lead. Scoring an impressive victory, Just Might proved himself against a quality field of formful horses. 

On the lead from the jump, Hernandez twice looked over his shoulder to see if he needed to get into his horse—twice he saw no one threatening. He was along for the ride.

"He broke in front of the field," Hernandez said, "and there wasn't much left for me to do."

It was as if two different races were running. With the 2 1/2-length victory, Just Might ($8.20) won the right to have another go against stakes company on dirt. All six foes finished gamely within three lengths of each other for the place spot. Due to a clocking malfunction, no final time or fractions were available.

"I thought Colby did an excellent job getting him away from the gates and then he never moved on him," Lovell said. "Colby just let him do his thing. He shook his reins at him late in the stretch and then wrapped back up. I thought it was a great ride by Colby and a great performance by my big horse. So exciting to watch him run!"

Greeley and Ben  proved his mettle in the second flight. Passing Strike Power  with a furlong to go, he then held off the hard charging closer Pyron  at the wire. That makes fourteen exactas out of fifteen races in 2021 for trainer Karl Broberg's seemingly ageless 7-year-old Greeley and Ben. 

Necker Island , the 8-5 favorite, rated off the pace and then steadied into the turn losing two lengths and momentum. Finishing fourth, the connections certainly are wondering what if he had gotten Just Might in his sights.

With the win, Just Might now has a career mark of 9-7-6 record in 31 starts with a bankroll of $783,914. A fun celebration in the winner's circle as the Griffon family had come to be a part of this win and the patriarch's birthday.

"Michelle and Colby did a great job," Dr. Robert Griffon said after the race. "We told him today to let him have his race, and he ran a good one today."

A Kentucky bred, Just Might is out of nine-time winner Dynamite Babe , a daughter of Dynameaux . All four of her foals have raced, with three victorious. Just Might is her lone stakes winner.

Video: Thanksgiving Classic S. (BT)