Authentic Gives Baffert Record-Tying Sixth Kentucky Derby Victory

Sep 06, 2020 Churchill Downs Communications

LOUISVILLE, KY (Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020) – Spendthrift Farm, Myracehorse.com, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing’s Authentic grabbed the lead shortly after the start and then held off a stretch bid from odds-on favorite Tiz the Law by 1 ¼ lengths to win the 146th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI).

Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by John Velazquez, Authentic covered the classic distance of a mile and quarter in 2:00.61 over a fast track.

Authentic’s victory gave Baffert and Velazquez milestone achievements.

For Baffert it was his sixth Kentucky Derby victory, a total that ties him with Ben Jones for the most all time. Baffert’s other victories came in 1997 with Silver Charm, 1998 with Real Quiet, 2002 with War Emblem, 2015 with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and 2018 with Triple Crown winner Justify.

For Velazquez, it was his 200th Grade I victory and third Kentucky Derby triumph. His previous victories came with Always Dreaming in 2017 and Animal Kingdom in 2011.

Authentic outsprinted Storm the Court and Ny Trafiic for the lead and first quarter-mile in :22.92 as Tiz the Law settled into fourth and in the clear. Authentic continued unopposed on the front end through fractions of :46.41 and 1:10.23 but by the time he completed the mile in 1:35.02, Tiz the Law had pulled alongside and the two hit the top of the stretch together.

Tiz the Law, with Manny Franco aboard, briefly struck his head in front only to have Authentic fight right back and spurt clear again to a daylight advantage he held to the wire. It was another two lengths back to Mr. Big News in third with second choice Honor A. P. finishing another 1 ¾ lengths back in fourth.

The victory was worth $1,860,000 and increased Authentic’s earnings to $2,871,200 with a record of 6-5-1-0.

Authentic is a Kentucky-bred son of Into Mischief out of the Mr. Greeley mare Flawless.

Authentic returned $18.80, $6 and $5. Tiz the Law returned $3.40 and $3.20 with Mr. Big News paying $16.80 to show under Gabriel Saez.

Completing the field in order were Honor A. P., Max Player, Storm the Court, Enforceable, Ny Traffic, Necker Island, Major Fed, Sole Volante, Winning Impression, Money Moves, Attachment Rate and South Bend.