Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Charlatan
May 03, 2020
SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John D. Fielding, and Golconda Stables’ Charlatan earned 100 points on the ‘2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby’ following his six-length victory in the first division of the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. The chestnut colt completed 9 furlongs on a fast surface in 1:48.49 under the guidance of jockey Martin Garcia.
Trained by Bob Baffert, the unblemished son of Speightstown kicked off his career on February 16 at Santa Anita and won impressively in front-running fashion. Under Drayden Van Dyke, Charlatan blitzed his rivals in the 6-furlong test by 5 3/4 lengths, and he returned with an equally convincing score at “The Great Race Place” on March 14 when drawing off by more than 10 lengths.
The Arkansas Derby marked the stakes debut for the sophomore, who now boasts a lifetime line of 3-3-0-0, $367,200.
Charlatan was bred in the Bluegrass State by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, and he brought the gavel down at $700,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was produced from the talented Quiet American mare Authenticity, who earned her biggest win in the 2013 La Troienne (G2) at Churchill Downs. The four-time Grade-1 placed lass concluded her career with a third-place result in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
The colt has been nothing short of spectacular to this stage of his development. He has yet to be headed at any call in a race while decimating his foes by a combined 21 3/4 lengths, posting substantial BRIS Speed figures of 101-105-102 in the process. He is bred for stamina through his female family, and the Kentucky-bred is proven at 1 1/8 miles, as well.
Charlatan is undoubtedly among the best of his generation at this point of the season, if not at the top. The March foal has given every indication that he is a superstar who will continue to ascend.
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