Authentic Remains Undefeated in San Felipe

Matched against a field that included numerous contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Authentic lived up to his name with a genuine 2 1/4-length victory over Honor A. P. in the $401,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

Unable to keep pace with him late were such talented 3-year-olds as Storm the Court, Thousand Words, and Wrecking Crew—plus well-beaten longshots Fort McHenry and Swagsensational.

Authentic took charge early, even though he bobbled slightly leaving the gate. He set splits of :22.84, :46.71, and 1:11.32 in the 1 1/16-mile race and had plenty left to outlast his rivals.

Though Honor A. P. loomed in early stretch with a wide charge, Drayden Van Dyke still had not asked his colt for his best. Authentic pulled away comfortably thereafter while not as green as he had been in previous races.

"I kept him going a few times just to keep him focused, but he got off amazing, and it seems like there is more in the tank," his rider said.

Competing for SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables, the Into Mischief  3-year-old is perfect in three starts after a maiden win and the Jan. 4 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. He earned 50 qualifying points for the Derby, improving his tally to 60 and placing him first on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

Authentic finished in 1:43.56 on a fast track and paid $4.40 as the favorite in the field of seven.

"He’s a special horse, and this was probably one of the toughest prep races that we’ve seen so far. Those were really good horses in there," winning trainer Bob Baffert said. 

The San Felipe continued a dominant winter for Baffert-trained 3-year-olds in California. Since the Breeders' Cup, every major stakes race in the state for Derby hopefuls has been won by one of his horses. Besides the victories by Authentic, Thousand Words won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), Nadal took the San Vicente Stakes (G2), and Azul Coast captured the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields.

The San Felipe gave Baffert a record seventh victory in the race. But none of his other six San Felipe winners went on to win the Kentucky Derby, a race he has won five times. 

Baffert said Authentic will remain in California for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (G1) to complete his Kentucky Derby preparation, though Thousand Words and other top 3-year-olds he trains could head out of town.

He felt that Thousand Words, who was beaten more than 10 lengths in fourth, might have been too close to the pace after stalking in third. The colt's rider, Flavien Prat, said his mount simply did not fire.

Authentic was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. He is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Flawless, a homebred for Blum. The mare has a 2-year-old colt by Bodemeister  named Mint and a yearling by the same sire named Push Button. She was bred to Mastery  for 2020.

SF Bloodstock and Starlight West bought Authentic for $350,000 from consignor Bridie Harrison at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. 

The connections of Honor A. P. were excited with their colt's performance in his first start since a maiden victory in October. Trainer John Shirreffs' ridgling was forced to miss an intended start in January after he bruised a foot over the winter.

"So we missed some time with him, but I thought if I could finish within a couple of lengths of whoever won it today, then that would be a really good effort," said Honor A. P.'s jockey, Mike Smith.

TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and 2-year-old champion Storm the Court turned in a steady effort to settle for third, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner. That came after a fourth-place finish in the San Vicente Stakes in his season debut.

Video: San Felipe S. (G2)