Triple Crown contender Just Steel is on track for a fall campaign

Just Steel, who sustained a condylar fracture during the Preakness Stakes, is “very sound” and on track to resume racing in the fall.

In an X post by Light Up Racing, Mulholland Springs owner Martha Jane Mulholland said the Justify colt has been hand walking and that Dr. Larry Bramlage would like that to continue for another month.

Bramlage is an equine orthopedic surgeon at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., and conducted the surgery about a month ago. Just Steel has been rehabbing at Mulholland Springs, a farm in Lexington.

“If everything still goes well, we will take some X-rays,” Mulholland said. “He’s very sound, so I’m sure it’s doing well … and with Dr. Bramlage’s blessing, we will turn him out for a month. And then we will see when (trainer D. Wayne) Lukas and Dr. Bramlage want to take him back.

“But he’s been a great patient,” Mulholland said, “and we all anticipate a strong fall campaign.”

Just Steel finished second in the Grade 3 Southwest and Arkansas Derby (G1) on his way to the Kentucky Derby, where he finished 17th. That was followed by his fifth-place finish in the Preakness.

Purchased as a yearling for $500,000 by BC Stables, co-owner with Henry Schmueckle, he has an overall record of 13: 2-4-1 and earnings of $784,545.