2020 Kentucky Derby Contender: Authentic
Age: 3 year old Colt
Owner(s): Spendthrift Farm LLC. MyRaceHorse Stable. Madaket Stables LLC and Starlight Racing
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Bred: Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds
Pedigree: Into Mischief - Flawless by Mr. Greeley
Record: 5-4-1-0
Earnings: $1,011,200
Authentic won his career debut by 1 ½ lengths on Nov. 9 at Del Mar, dueling for the early lead and then pulling away in the stretch in the 5 ½-furlong race. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert subsequently entered him in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes Jan. 4 at Santa Anita for his second start. Authentic again proved much the best, surging to a eight-length lead in early stretch before he became distracted by the crowd and ducked in sharply. He continued to race greenly in the stretch but won by 7 ¾ lengths in a powerhouse performance.
Facing a far more difficult test in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes March 7, Authentic aced the exam yet again by setting the pace and then turning back Honor A. P. in the stretch in a convincing 2 1/4-length victory. The 50 points toward qualifying for the 2020 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve cemented his place in the starting gate May 2 at Churchill Downs. In the rescheduled Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on June 6, Authentic tasted defeat for the first time when he broke out at the start and raced wide throughout before he was passed by. Honor A. P. in early stretch in a runner-up finish.
Authentic made his next start in the TVG.com Haskell Stakes July 18 at Monmouth Park. He set the pace in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, opened a clear lead in deep stretch, and then dug in gamely late to hold off fast-closing Ny Traffic by a nose in a thrilling finish.
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