Looking back at Baffert's Triple Crown attempts maybe reveals a pattern that makes him more of a genius with his "program" or "out of training" techniques than everyone else. Rather, should I say the TIME OFF leading to their major preparations means as much as anything. I appreciate the praise you are heaping on Justify but basically the only major difference from this one and some of his other major contenders in the TC is the fact he was unraced at 2. After how long he had AP off, I find his work with Justify not all that surprising. Do you really believe those races at 2 made that big of a difference?

The following list includes his 5 Derby winners, his 2 Belmont winners, and Mastery and Justify from the past 2 years along with a note on Arrogate. Those are literally the only ones I looked up so there may be more and there may be examples showing other patterns. But these were the most successful ones Derby and Belmont-wise. The pattern is waiting as long as possible to put them back into racing before the Triple Crown chase.

1997. Silver Charm: 3 races at Del Mar in August (2) and September (1) of his 2yo year. [b]Unraced all of October, November, December, and January.[/b] 3 preps into the Derby.

1998. Real Quiet: 10 races from June through Mid-January. [b]2 months off until mid-March.[/b] 2 preps into the Derby.

2001. Point Given: 6 races from August to December. [b]No races all of January and all of Febuary.[/b] 2 preps into the Derby.

2002. War Emblem: N/A. Did not have the horse until weeks before the Derby.

2015. American Pharoah: 3 races at 2yo at Del Mar (2) and Santa Anita (1) in August and September. [b]Unraced all of October, November, December, January, and February.[/b] 2 preps into the Derby. Before his BC Classic win, 8 weeks off.

2016. Mastery. 3 starts at 2 from October until December 10th. [b]Unraced for almost exactly 3 months.[/b] Started back on March 11th and likely 2 preps into the Derby but injured.

2017. Justify. [b]Unraced until February of 3yo year.[/b] 3 preps into Derby.

**Arrogate.** Non-TC example. [b]Unraced all of his 2yo year.[/b] 4 races from April to early August. Then he rattles off G1 record time Travers, then 2 months unraced, negative 5, then 2.5 months off, negative 5, then 7 weeks off negative 5. Never the same again thereafter.

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I'll leave these two questions intentionally broad. Is there a reason a trainer would want to have a horse wait as long as possible for entering them back into training? Was there a recent rule change in a major event where some horses who had success the year before seemed different the next year?

Justify is just an absolute freak to you. To me, he fits a pattern despite not racing at 2.

We may not see this again you are right. But if we do I bet I know the name of the trainer and I bet there will be very little room for error timing wise just like Point Given, AP, and Justify to pull off their Derby attempts and TC heroics.

Last, as for calling him one of the most efficient movers ever I don't think Justify is one of a kind based on the quotes below:
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Pharoah, Baffert quote from Bloodhorse.com:
[i]
[b]"The thing about Pharoah... the way he moves—I've never had a horse that moves or travels over the ground like he does. I've had some really good horses but I've never had a horse that moves like that," Baffert said. "There's something in there that makes him so different than the other horses. That's what we have in our favor."[/b][/i]

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Arrogate, Smith and Baffert quotes from thoroughbredracing.com:
[i][b]
“His stamina is phenomenal,”[/b][/i] Smith said. [i][b]“I don’t think I’ve been on a horse with that much stamina.”[/b][/i]

Baffert, currently the third-ranked trainer in the world, said Arrogate’s long, graceful stride puts the gray colt among an elite group of runners.

[i][b]“He jumps farther than anyone I’ve ever trained,”[/b][/i] Baffert said. [i][b]“I’ve never measured it, but his stride is incredible. That’s his weapon. He has speed and he’s light on his feet, but his stride is incredible.”[/b][/i]