Royal Justice reigns supreme in $100,000 Peony at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Royal Justice lived up to her heavy favorite status to win the 23^rd running of the $100,000 Peony Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

The filly was pressured the entire distance of the one and one-sixteenth mile turf race and prevailed for her connections.

Royal Justice began from post three and teamed up with Horseshoe Indianapolis’ leading jockey Fernando De La Cruz. They were immediately joined on the front end by Temple Paynter and Joe Ramos, who sat to their outside the entire way.

Around the final turn, both fillies kicked in for the stretch drive and neither one gave an inch. As they headed down the stretch, Royal Justice had a slight edge on Temple Paynter and carried that advantage to the wire for the win by a neck. Itzforever and Santo Sanjur came up the rail to finish third.

Royal Justice paid $2.60 for the win. The four-year-old daughter of Cloud Computing is trained by Aaron West and owned by breeder Greg Justice. Justice Farms has been the leading breeder in Indiana numerous times, picking up their fifth title last year. Most of their foals go through the sales ring each fall. However, Justice decided to keep this filly and put her into training for himself.

“No special reason we kept this filly, although once she showed us she could run, I was really glad we kept her,” said Justice. “Her mother (Golden Pioneer) has one by her side now and is back in foal, so we will have one to sell from her next year. Her mama has been a good brood mare for us. She’s very solid and always gets in foal.”

Justice Farm, located near Lexington, Ky., has been a big supporter of Indiana’s breeding and racing program for several decades. Justice has a longstanding partnership with West, which has produced many winners over the years. Royal Justice is their latest standout.

“She (Royal Justice) is definitely a grass, or synthetic horse, because she did finish second this winter at Turfway on the synthetic,” noted West. “The patience that Greg (Justice) has shown us is amazing. He never pressures us or asks us why she isn’t running. He’s been a big supporter of mine for 18 years. In fact, he was my very first owner.”

Royal Justice earned her second win in two starts for 2026. Overall, she has six wins in 14 starts and boosted her career bankroll to more than $260,000.

“She is strictly a grass horse,” added Justice. “That’s why you see a lot of time between her races. If it rains, then we scratch her. She is a very sound horse, so we give her the best chance every time out on the grass.”

De La Cruz has been aboard the filly numerous times throughout her career. He is currently two for two on her in 2026.

“Fernando put a great ride on her today,” continued West. “He was able to get her to relax on the lead. All my help has also done a tremendous job. I couldn’t do any of this without all of them.”

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