Trainer Bob Baffert could find himself in the peculiar circumstance of having to beat himself when the undefeated Justify attempts to become Thoroughbred racing's 13th Triple Crown winner in the June 9 Belmont Stakes.

Owner Gary West has expressed an interest in running the Baffert-trained Restoring Hope in the Belmont. A son of Giant’s Causeway, Restoring Hope has one win from five starts. After winning a maiden race at Santa Anita on Feb. 2 in his third career start, Restoring Hope finished third behind Vino Rosso in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7. Most recently, he finished 12th of 14 in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs. That race was run over a sloppy track.

Since the Pat Day Mile, Restoring Hope has fired two bullet works at Churchill Downs including a five-furlong drill in 1:00 on Tuesday morning.

“We’re looking at it very seriously with him,” Baffert said Tuesday from California.” If he’s doing well, [West] wants to take a shot at it; maybe get a piece of it.”

Restoring Hope is out of the Tapit mare Symbol of Freedom, whom Gary and Mary West own. Restoring Hope is a half-brother to Tale of a Champion, winner of the Grade 2 Charlie Whttingham Stakes at 1 1-4 miles on turf.

Others expected to take on Justify include Blended Citizen, Bravazo, Free Drop Billy, Hofburg, Tenfold, and Vino Rosso. Audible and Gronkowski are possible starters.