Authentic Collects First Ever BetMakers Bonanza

The U.S.’s richest horse race just got $1 million richer with Authentic   claiming the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and, in turn, collecting the first-ever "BetMakers Bonanza."

Australian-based racing technology group BetMakers, in conjunction with Monmouth Park’s Dennis Drazin, created the "BetMakers Bonanza" for any horse who could win the 2020 renewals of the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1), Monmouth’s premier race, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Reigniting the successful "all-the-way" tactics deployed in the Derby, Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez took Authentic straight to the front, controlling the race at a perfect tempo, then holding on to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths from stablemate Improbable  , with 25-1 outsider Global Campaign   a length back in third.

Riding just as hard as 'Johnny V' was BetMakers CEO Todd Buckingham from his Australian office. Buckingham is thrilled to be signing a check for the winning connections.

“With all the winners of the majors competing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Authentic proving he is an absolute superstar was very exciting,” he said.

"Initiatives like the BetMakers Bonanza are a great way to get the best horses competing against each other, and what a great way to finish off with a race like we had.”

BetMakers and Darby Development, owner and operator of Monmouth Park, signed a landmark agreement this year with the aim to facilitate fixed-odds betting on horse racing in the state of New Jersey, with legislation recently introduced in the New Jersey state legislature.

“We believe the U.S. racing industry is on the verge of enormous growth,” Buckingham said.

“That exact same growth scenario has played out in Australia when the sports bookmakers entered the market, and we expect the same to happen in the U.S.

“And hopefully the Bonanza is the first of many other initiatives with our partner tracks that will significantly add to the U.S. racing landscape.”

The "BetMakers Bonanza" will continue for at least the next two years but with a different pathway.

This year’s COVID-19-adjusted racing schedule saw the middle leg being the Derby, and with the expected return to a regular calendar next year, the Haskell and Breeders’ Cup Classic will again bookend the Bonanza with the middle leg to be determined.