Authentic Ascends To The Lead In NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll

At every point of call in the 146th edition of the Kentucky Derby, Authentic found himself in front of his sophomore rivals. When the votes were tallied in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Three-Year-Old Poll, the son of Into Mischief was again the one who could not be caught as he takes over sole position of the No. 1 spot from longtime leader Tiz the Law.

Authentic, who last held the top spot in the poll on March 23, captured the September 5 Kentucky Derby in frontrunning style, besting heavily favored Tiz the Law by 1 ¼-lengths. The victory not only provided Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his record-tying sixth triumph in the 10-furlong classic, it earned Authentic 21 first-place votes and 354 total points as he improved his overall mark to five wins from six career starts.

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, My Racehorse, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing, Authentic previously annexed the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on July 18 for his first top-level triumph. He and stablemate Thousand Words, who was a late scratch in the Kentucky Derby after rearing and falling the paddock, are both expected to contest the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on October 3.

“If they're working well and all going well, they'll go to the Preakness,” Baffert said from Churchill Downs on Sunday. “We're planning on both if they're doing well.”

The Kentucky Derby marked the first loss for Tiz the Law since last November but the Grade 1 Belmont and Travers Stakes winner didn't lose much regard among pundits. The son of Constitution still earned 16 first-place votes and 349 points this week as he dropped one spot to second.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Art Collector, who had to miss the Kentucky Derby due to a minor foot injury, ranks third with 259 points, just ahead of Honor A. P. (258 points), who finished fourth in the “Run for the Roses.”

Kentucky Oaks runner-up Swiss Skydiver (134 points) ranks fifth followed by Thousand Words (131), and Oaks heroine Shedaresthedevil, who joins the top 10 in the seventh spot with 90 points.

Max Player, fifth in the Kentucky Derby, sits eighth with 85 points as King Guillermo (79 points), and beaten Oaks favorite Gamine (72) complete the top 10.

With Authentic taking over the top spot in the sophomore ranks, Baffert now trains the No. 1 ranked horses on both weekly polls as champion Maximum Security continues to hold down first place in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll.

The 4-year-old son of New Year's Day earned 26 first-place votes and 340 points to maintain the lead position in the wake of his most recent triumph in the August 22 Grade 1 Pacific Classic Stakes.

Multiple Grade 1 winner Vekoma remains in second with 8 first-place votes and 260 points followed by Tom's d'Etat (3 first-place votes, 232 points) and fellow Grade 1 winner Improbable (198 points).

Champion Monomoy Girl moves up to fifth with 197 points after capturing the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes on September 4, her third victory in as many starts this season. By My Standards, who won the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on the Oaks undercard, advances four positions to sixth with 150 points followed by champion Midnight Bisou (146 points) and Tiz the Law (128). Authentic joins the Top Thoroughbred Poll for the first time in ninth with 111 points as multiple Grade 1 winner Rushing Fall (78 points) rounds out the top 10.

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred polls are the sport's most comprehensive surveys of experts. Every week eligible journalists and broadcasters cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. All horses that have raced in the U.S., are in training in the U.S., or are known to be pointing to a major event in the U.S. are eligible for the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. Voting in both the Top Three-Year-Old Poll and the Top Thoroughbred Poll is scheduled to be conducted through the conclusion of the Breeders' Cup in November.

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Jockey Brian Hernandez Cleared To Resume Riding Thursday At Churchill

Just after hearing that his Kentucky Derby mount, Art Collector, wouldn't be entered in the race due to a minor foot injury, jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. found out that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. He was subsequently taken off all mounts at Churchill on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The 34-year-old rider then took an antibody test on Tuesday, which was also positive.

According to the Daily Racing Form, Hernandez consulted with both local health officials and Churchill representatives, and eventually it was decided to allow him to resume riding on Thursday, “on the basis that he is not an infectious danger to others.”

Read more at the Daily Racing Form.

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The Derby 20 Presented By NYRA Bets: 18 Will Go Forward In Rescheduled Run For The Roses

The defection of Art Collector early Tuesday morning and late addition of several other entrants this week have left an interesting field of 18 for Saturday's rescheduled Kentucky Derby.

For the first time since the introduction of the Derby points system in 2013, there will be two horses in the field with no points at all. Those are the Todd Pletcher-trained Money Moves, a lightly-raced son of Candy Ride, and the Bret Calhoun-trained Mr. Big News, an upset winner of the Oaklawn Stakes two starts back. Neither has the credentials to compete with this field on paper, but the first Saturday in (September) is for dreamers!

Tiz the Law is definitely a deserving favorite, but the large field could make him vulnerable. Honor A. P. should be ready to roll for trainer John Shirreffs, and its hard to leave a Bob Baffert trainee out of the Kentucky Derby.

My longshot picks, or a few horses that I expect to outrun their odds, include: King Guillermo (20-1 morning line), Ny Traffic (20-1 morning line), and Enforceable (30-1 morning line).

Where did your favorite Derby horse end up? Be sure to click on the expandable boxes for each Derby candidate to get all the latest information in this edition of The Derby 20!

Tiz the Law
Connections
Pedigree
372
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
1st
Paulick Report Ranking
Honor A. P.
Connections
Pedigree
140
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
2nd
Paulick Report Ranking
King Guillermo
Connections
Pedigree
90
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
3rd
Paulick Report Ranking
Ny Traffic
Connections
Pedigree
110
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
4th
Paulick Report Ranking
Enforceable
Connections
Pedigree
43
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
5th
Paulick Report Ranking
Major Fed
Connections
Pedigree
38
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
6th
Paulick Report Ranking
Thousand Words
Connections
Pedigree
83
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
7th
Paulick Report Ranking
Sole Volante
Connections
Pedigree
30
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
8th
Paulick Report Ranking
Max Player
Connections
Pedigree
60
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
9th
Paulick Report Ranking
Authentic
Connections
Pedigree
200
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
10th
Paulick Report Ranking
Money Moves
Connections
Pedigree
0
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
11th
Paulick Report Ranking
South Bend
Connections
Pedigree
18
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
12th
Paulick Report Ranking
Winning Impression
Connections
Pedigree
20
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
13th
Paulick Report Ranking
Finnick the Fierce
Connections
Pedigree
25
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
14th
Paulick Report Ranking
Necker Island
Connections
Pedigree
14
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
15th
Paulick Report Ranking
Attachment Rate
Connections
Pedigree
38
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
16th
Paulick Report Ranking
Mr. Big News
Connections
Pedigree
0
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
17th
Paulick Report Ranking
Storm the Court
Connections
Pedigree
36
Derby Points
Derby Post & Odds
18th
Paulick Report Ranking

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Derby Notes: Tiz The Law Arrives In Louisville, California Contingent Steps On Track

With the defection of Art Collector, 18 horses were entered for Saturday's Run for the Roses headlined by Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law.

Trained by Barclay Tagg, Tiz the Law landed in Louisville shortly after 9 o'clock Tuesday morning and arrived at Churchill Downs after training hours at 10:30.

Also arriving from New York on the same flight were John Fanelli, Cash is King and Paul Braverman's Ny Traffic and Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves.

ART COLLECTOR – Bruce Lunsford's homebred colt Art Collector, winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (GII) on July 11, was declared out of the 146th Kentucky Derby Tuesday morning because of a minor injury to his left front.

The son of Bernardini nicked the bulb of his left front heel with a hind hoof while galloping Monday at Churchill Downs. Because of horse racing strict medication rules, the horse could not be treated with an anti-inflammatory this close to the race.

“He grabbed himself yesterday morning training,” trainer Tommy Drury said. “It was still very sensitive this morning. When I took my thumbs to palpate the bulbs of his heels, you could still tell it was pinching him. I had to make a choice. Your horse has to always come first. To run in a race of this caliber and trying to compete against the best 3-year-olds in this country, you've got to be 110 percent.”

Art Collector was widely considered the biggest threat to Belmont (GI) and Travers Stakes (GI) winner Tiz the Law heading into Saturday's 1 ¼-miles classic, coming into the race off a 3 ¼-length victory in the Ellis Park Derby on Aug. 9.

“We didn't want to take any chances with a horse potentially this good,” Lunsford said. “The Derby means an awful lot to me so it's been kind of a tough day and night. But the horse is always the most important thing in all these things. We'll get another chance to have another day. We'll try and make it to the Preakness and maybe from there, the Breeders' Cup.”

Art Collector has been unbeaten in four starts this year since joining Drury's barn, including two victories at Churchill Downs.

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Attachment Rate continued his regular training at 9 a.m. for trainer Dale Romans. The colt drew post No. 13 in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

“I always like to have horses on either side of us and we've got that,” Romans said. “It's always special to run in the Kentucky Derby – it's the race everyone wants to win. As John Asher always told me, 'There's a trophy with your name on it.'”

Authentic at Churchill Downs on Tuesday

AUTHENTIC – Grade 1 winner Authentic joined his Bob Baffert-trained stablemates in getting a feel for the Churchill Downs track for the first time Tuesday morning when he jogged beneath the Twin Spires during the special 7:30 a.m. training period for Oaks and Derby horses.

Authentic was on the flight that arrived to Louisville from California Monday afternoon and settled in without issue his first evening in the Bluegrass. The son of Into Mischief worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 at Del Mar on Sunday.

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable may have already put in his final major breeze in advance of the Kentucky Derby this past weekend but assistant trainer David Carroll joked that the colt continues to give him a workout during their time on the track each morning.

The son of Tapit put in another strong gallop Tuesday morning, testing the strength in Carroll's arms as they headed out during the special 7:30 a.m. training period for Oaks and Derby contenders.

“It was a good workout, put it that way,” Carroll said with a laugh. “But he's doing great. He just wants to do more than what I let him do. Hopefully he saves that energy for Saturday.”

FINNICK THE FIERCE – With trainer and co-owner Rey Hernandez in the irons himself, Finnick the Fierce put in a spirited gallop in his first morning at Churchill Downs after vanning over from The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington.

“He went good, I was happy with his gallop,” Hernandez said. “He's had two really good races at this track and I think one of his best races was here when he ran second in the (Kentucky) Jockey Club Stakes. So I think he likes this track and the distance should be in our favor.”

Honor A. P. gallops at Churchill Downs on Tuesday

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable LLC's Honor A.P., who arrived late Monday afternoon from California, had his first gallop over the Churchill track Tuesday morning at 7:30 and a few hours later was installed as the 5-1 second choice on the Kentucky Derby morning line after drawing post position 16.

“I just talked to (jockey) Mike (Smith) and he's happy with it,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “I think it's O.K. There's a long run to the first turn and I don't have to worry about getting pushed down on the outside.

“He's doing really well. He shipped in well. He got off the van here at Churchill Downs and looks very good.”

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo galloped 1 ½ miles at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday under exercise rider Edgar Garcia.

“I sort of had that awe-inspiring feeling when I walked into Yankee Stadium for the first time as a player, but Churchill Downs is better,” owner Victor Martinez said.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's Major Fed galloped 1 ½ miles at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday with Margarito Fierro in the saddle.

“He'll have a couple more good gallops and be ready for Saturday,” trainer Greg Foley said.

Major Fed drew post No. 5 in Saturday's “Run for the Roses.”

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportsBXL Thoroughbred's Max Player walked the shedrow of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's barn Tuesday, one day after completing his final major preparation with a half-mile breeze in :49.80 Monday.

Max Player was moved to the Asmussen barn just after his third-place finish behind Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law with the hopes that the winningest trainer in Churchill Downs history could get him ready for the “Run for the Roses.” The trainer has spent the last three weeks getting to know his new charge.

“Under these circumstances, I was very familiar with the horse because of the type of races he's been competing in. After the conversations about taking over his training, the first thing I did was watch all his videos, his workouts as well as all his races.

“I was extremely happy with how he came in. He rests well, he eats well. I think we've been able to do everything we wanted to do to get him ready for the Derby.”

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning from Saratoga.

Trained by Todd Pletcher who is not coming to Louisville, Money Moves will be stabled in Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas' barn.

MR. BIG NEWS – Allied Racing's $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes winner Mr. Big News jogged a mile Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. for trainer Bret Calhoun.

Calhoun reported the colt would likely train at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scherr and Will Harbut Racing Stables' Necker Island jogged in the mile chute stood in the starting gate and then galloped two miles under exercise rider Hillary Hartman.

Trained by Chris Hartman, Necker Island completed his major training for Derby 146 last Friday when he worked a half-mile in :48.40 under jockey Miguel Mena who was aboard for the first time.

“It was a good work,” said Mena, whose only other Derby ride came in 2010 aboard Backtalk. “He broke off about five lengths behind his workmate and we came through on the rail like Chris wanted me to. I got a good feel for him.”

Ny Traffic arrives at Churchill Downs

NY TRAFFIC – Haskell Invitational (GI) runner-up Ny Traffic arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning after a Tex Sutton flight from Albany, New York that also brought Money Moves and Kentucky Derby morning line favorite Tiz the Law.

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante went out to train at 7:30 a.m. and jogged 1 ¼ miles with his co-owner in the saddle. Andie Biancone, the 23-year-old daughter of trainer Patrick Biancone has been wearing all three hats – owner, trainer and exercise rider – since arriving Sunday from South Florida with the horse, but expects to turn over the morning riding to the gelding's regular jockey Luca Panici later this week.

“He's feeling really good,” Biancone said. “He's fresh.”

SOUTH BEND – Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch and Pantofel Stable's South Bend, fourth in the Travers (GI) in his most recent start, was a last-minute addition to the Derby 146 field Tuesday morning.

STORM THE COURT – David Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson's Storm the Court galloped a mile under Thomas Dubaele, assistant to trainer Peter Eurton.

The 2-year-old champion of 2019 arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday afternoon from Southern California.

Julien Leparoux has the mount.

THOUSAND WORDS – Thousand Words, winner of the Shared Belief Stakes on Aug. 1, put in an easy jog under the watch of assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes in his first morning at Churchill Downs.

Several representatives from Spendthrift Farm, which co-owns Thousand Words along with Albaugh Family Stables, were on hand to watch the son of Pioneerof the Nile as he got his first feel for the track for trainer Bob Baffert.

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law, the overwhelming favorite for Kentucky Derby 146, arrived at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning from Saratoga.

Barclay Tagg, who saddled 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide for Sackatoga, trains Tiz the Law.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression galloped about 1 ½ miles Tuesday under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

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