Tag: Tiz The Law

Derby Aftermath: Tagg Mum On Potential Preakness Run By Tiz The Law

Followup from the connections of Saturday's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby starters is provided by the Churchill Downs media office:

TIZ THE LAW – Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law is scheduled to return to New York on Tuesday following his runner-up effort in Saturday's Kentucky Derby with plans for a next start to be determined.

“I just looked him over,” trainer Barclay Tagg said before heading to Lexington to begin the search for the next Tiz the Law at this week's yearling sale. “His legs are good. He ate good. Everything's good.”

The four-time Grade 1 winner, who went off as the 7-10 favorite Saturday, sustained only the second loss in his eight-race career with both setbacks coming at Churchill Downs. He was third in last November's Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) on a sealed sloppy track.

In the Derby, Tiz the Law drew up alongside Authentic at the top of the stretch but never passed the eventual winner.

“The jock (Manny Franco) said that when he really had to get down and run, he was kind of swimming on that track. He didn't like the track,” Tagg said. “You could see it in the stretch. He looked like he was going to go on by and win easy. His last (Beyer) number was a 109 (in the Travers). He bounced down to a 103 this time.

“The jock told me that and when I watch the replay you could see he just wasn't getting a hold of it nicely. If you want to make an excuse, that is probably an excuse. He's come out of well. He ate up his dinner last night. He'll go back to New York Tuesday. I don't want to say too much about the Preakness. I just want to see how he is. He'll go back to New York and we'll evaluate him.”

MR. BIG NEWS – Allied Racing's Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Mr. Big News was “all good” Sunday morning, according to trainer Bret Calhoun.

“He gave us a big thrill,” Calhoun said. “It was an awesome race and we are so proud of this colt.”

Next race plans are yet to be determined.

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable's Honor A. P. was “doing good” Sunday morning, one day after rallying late for fourth as the 7-1 second choice. The Honor Code colt had a poor start and was last after the first six furlongs. Trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith had said Saturday after the race that he was floundering on the track early.

cWhen asked what might be next for Honor A.P., Shirreffs said: “I haven't even thought about that. He'll head back to California Monday and we'll see.”

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred Corp.'s Max Player was doing well Sunday morning, but his connections were obviously disappointed after his inside post position compromised his chances Saturday.

“He didn't jump away from the gate as well as I had hoped and jumped up and down in the dirt early first time by, but continued running late,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I think there's more there, and circumstances need to be created to get it.”

As for the Preakness, Asmussen said “I have not spoken with Mr. Hall to see what his plans are. I definitely think that would be me getting ahead of myself.”

STORM THE COURT – Exline-Border Racing, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson and Dan Hudock's Storm the Court is scheduled to return to his Southern California base on an early Monday morning flight according to trainer Peter Eurton.

Eurton, who was traveling back to Southern California early Sunday morning, said Storm the Court appeared to come out of his sixth-place Derby finish fine and there were no immediate plans for Storm the Court's next race.

ENFORCEABLE – Assistant trainer David Carroll reported all was good with John Oxley's Enforceable the morning after the colt finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby.

The son of Tapit was closer to the pace than usual, rating fifth through the opening half mile, before weakening in the lane.

“His legs are cold and tight, he cleaned up his feed,” said Carroll, assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse. “We're very happy with him. We'll live to fight another day. He broke sharp, and (jockey) Adam (Beschizza) never hustled him, he got a clean trip around there. He got us to the big dance and we're proud of him and most of all he came back safe.”

NY TRAFFIC – John Fanelli, Cash is King, Paul Braverman and Team Hanley's Ny Traffic lost a shoe in the running of the Kentucky Derby and was a little banged up, but was no worse for the wear Sunday morning, according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. No definite plans have been made for his next start.

“He came out well soundness wise,” Joseph said via text. “He got a few cuts front and back. No race in mind at the moment. We'll see how he is in 7-10 days and then go from there.”

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scheer and Will Harbut Racing's Necker Island walked the shedrow at trainer Chris Hartman's barn Sunday morning following his ninth-place Derby finish.

“He came back in good shape,” Hartman said. “I'll wait three or four days before we start mapping out a race.”

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's Major Fed cooled out well following Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

“He has a couple of little nicks on him but he's doing well,” said trainer Greg Foley, who stood alongside the homebred colt while he grazed. “It was the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“He had no business being up there where he was,” Foley said of Major Fed breaking sharply from the gate. “Bumper cars going into that first turn. I mean, he was a length off the lead. I don't know if he was too fresh and broke like that and was down in there. That was the end of our chances. Everything had to go good for us. It didn't. He came back good. He looks fine. He ate up. We'll regroup in a little bit. He's eligible for a 'one other than' (first-level allowance). That's about where he'll show up next. Go from there. He'll look pretty good in that.”

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbreds and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante was heading back to his South Florida base after finishing 11th in the Kentucky Derby.

“He's fine, he's good,” said Andie Biancone, who is also assistant to her father Patrick Biacone and the regular exercise rider for the gelding. “He obviously took a lot of dirt in his face, but he scoped clean. We're happy and proud of him. He'll probably get a break now and maybe go back to the turf.”

WINNING IMPRESSION – Trainer Dallas Stewart reported Winning Impression came out of the Kentucky Derby in good shape Sunday morning.

MONEY MOVES – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who was overseeing the care of Money Moves on behalf of his former protégé Todd Pletcher, said the colt emerged from his 13th-place finish in good order and was slated to ship back to New York on Tuesday.

ATTACHMENT RATE –Trainer Dale Romans reported via text everything was well Sunday morning with Attachment Rate.

SOUTH BEND – South Bend was reported to be unaffected by wear after finishing 15th in the Kentucky Derby. The Bill Mott-trained colt was attempting to give his conditioner back-to-back victories in the classic after Country House was elevated to the win last year via disqualification.

“He was fine. He made a bit of a middle move around the turn and into the head of the stretch but it just wasn't his day,” assistant trainer Kenny McCarthy said.

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Derby Wrap: Authentic ‘Not Even Tired’, On to Preakness

A day after picking up his record-tying sixth GI Kentucky Derby win in a renewal as unorthodox as they come, trainer Bob Baffert said victor Authentic (Into Mischief) “wasn’t even tired” Sunday morning after going wire to wire and turning back odds-on Tiz the Law (Constitution) in Saturday’s Run for the Roses.

“I couldn’t believe it, I thought he might be a little tired today,” Baffert said. “He came out of it well.”

The triumph for Baffert was plenty unorthodox as well. After appearing to have a strangehold on the Derby in the spring, Baffert lost top contenders Charlatan (Speightstown) and Nadal (Blame) to injury. Late bloomer Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo) then finished up the track in the GI Runhappy Travers S., eliminating him from Derby contention. Finally, in the Churchill Downs paddock Saturday, his Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) flipped and had to be scratched, leaving Authentic as his lone starter. The incident sent longtime Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes to the hospital with a broken wrist, adding one final touch of emotion to Authentic’s win.

“Jimmy is going to need surgery, I think he’ll need eight screws in his wrist but he actually was here this morning. He’s a trooper,” Baffert said. “I was so emotional yesterday because I wanted him to be there. To me, that was most emotional Derby I’ve ever been involved in because of what happened during that little time frame. It was the most crazy 30 minutes I’ve had in racing.”

“Before May, I was looking so strong and then everything just went wrong,” Baffert continued. “And to pull it off like that was really exciting. Winning the Kentucky Derby is the biggest moment in a trainer’s life. When you win it, it erases everything that has gone bad.”

Roller Coaster Half-Hour for Spendthrift

The late scratch of Thousand Words also affected Spendthrift Farm, which co-owns the colt with Albaugh Family Stables and co-owns Authentic with My Racehorse, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing.

“It was all so unbelievable. I walked over with the Albaughs and we’re all enjoying the moment and then, the next thing you know [Thousand Words] exploded and went over,” said Mark Toothaker, stallion sales manager of Spendthrift Farm. “The state vet walked over and said he was a scratch. So you had all the emotion of, you are within 20 minutes of having a horse getting ready to run in the Kentucky Derby that we picked out and we’re so excited and as we were walking through the tunnel, I said to our general manger Ned Toffey, ‘If there is a Derby God out there, maybe we can win.’ For Authentic to just keep giving it in the stretch, it was like he had an extra push.”

A trip to Baltimore for the GI Preakness S. Oct. 3 is slated as the next objective for both Authentic and Thousand Words, as the latter escaped his paddock fall without injury. Baffert said both colts will head to the shedrow of Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas to stay for the next few weeks so Baffert doesn’t have to ship them back to California in the interim.

“Being that the Preakness is a few weeks away, I thought it might be too hard on them to go back. So I have an assistant trainer, this D. Wayne Lukas guy here,” Baffert joked. “So they’re going to be in Wayne’s barn. We’re going to run them out of here. If they’re working well and all going well, they’ll go to the Preakness. I didn’t want to take them all the way to California and back. I want to give them every opportunity. We’re planning on [running] both if they’re doing well. Thousand Words, we’ll give him another chance at it. He didn’t have a scratch on him.”

Barnes Back in Action Sunday Morning

Barnes was back to work dark and early Sunday morning, albeit in a compromised capacity. He said he wasn’t going to say anything about his broken right wrist Saturday until he rolled up his sleeve and saw it at the wrong angle.

“When it happened, I wasn’t going to say anything. I was going to say I was OK. I knew it kind of hurt,” he said. “Then I pulled my sleeve up and saw it was pointing a different direction. So I pulled it back down and said, ‘I better say something.'”

Barnes watched the Derby on a phone in the ambulance on his way to Norton Audubon Hospital. He said the ER personnel knew he was connected to the Derby winner, and that the ER doctor actually was a co-breeder of Baffert’s two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute (Real Quiet).

“He didn’t surprise me, the way he trains and the way you watch him move,” Barnes said of Authentic. “He’s just this big leaper. He’s got a huge stride on him. He just got out there motoring along. Johnny V rode him superbly. He committed early and if you’re going to go with him you’re going to be running fast. So they kind of backed off a bit, from what I saw. For him to straighten out and switch leads, because you look at his earlier races and he was very erratic in the stretch in numerous races. But Johnny V, when he pulled his stick through to the left hand and got after him, boy, he just leveled out and said, ‘They’re not going by me today.'”

Asked about the roller coaster of breaking his wrist in a scary paddock accident and then winning a Derby less than a half-hour later, Barnes said of horse racing, “You can be on the floor and then be up in the sky soaring.”

Tiz the Law in Good Shape, Next Start Undetermined

Sackatoga Stable’s beaten favorite Tiz the Law is scheduled to return to New York Tuesday with plans for a next start to be determined.

“I just looked him over,” trainer Barclay Tagg said. “His legs are good. He ate good. Everything’s good.”

The four-time Grade I winner, who went off as the 7-10 chalk Saturday, sustained only the second loss in his eight-race career, with both setbacks coming at Churchill Downs. He was third in last November’s GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. on a sealed sloppy track.

“The jock [Manny Franco] said that when he really had to get down and run, he was kind of swimming on that track. He didn’t like the track,” Tagg said. “You could see it in the stretch. He looked like he was going to go on by and win easy. His last [Beyer] number was a 109 [in the GI Runhappy Travers S.]. He bounced down to a 103 this time … I don’t want to say too much about the Preakness. I just want to see how he is. He’ll go back to New York and we’ll evaluate him.”

“He ran good and came out of it great. I was over at the barn this morning and all is well,” principal owner Jack Knowlton added. “I’ll have [the Preakness] discussion with Barclay and we’ll take a little time to see. My thinking is that we will [go], but we’ll have the horse dictate what’s going to happen. Certainly that would be my preference but we’ve just go to see how he comes out and see how he works when we have the next work in a couple weeks. We’ll have time for a couple works.”

Other Preakness Hopefuls

According to the Pimlico notes team, longshot third finisher in the Derby Mr. Big News (Giant’s Causeway) is likely headed to Baltimore. The three horses who had to scratch the week of the Derby–Art Collector (Bernardini), King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) and Finnick the Fierce (Dialed In)–are also Preakness-bound.

Among other potential Preakness horses are Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and Dr Post (Quality Road), respectively first and fourth in Saturday’s GII Jim Dandy S. at Saratoga; Manitoba Derby winner Mongolian Wind (Mucho Macho Man), entered in Monday’s Gold Cup S. at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg; Lebda (Raison d’Etat), winner of the Miracle Wood S.and Private Terms S. at Laurel over the winter and most recently third in the Robert Hilton Memorial S. Aug. 28 at Charles Town; Pneumatic (Uncle Mo), last-out winner of the Pegasus S. Aug. 15 at Monmouth Park and fourth in the Belmont for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen; and the Baffert-trained Azul Coast (Super Saver), winner of the El Camino Real Derby Feb. 15 at Golden Gate and second to Authentic in the GIII Sham S.

The Federico Tesio S. Monday at Laurel is a ‘Win and In’ qualifier for Triple Crown-nominated horses to the Preakness. Happy Saver (Super Saver), undefeated in two career starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, is the 1-2 program favorite for the 1 1/8-mile Preakness prep.

The post Derby Wrap: Authentic ‘Not Even Tired’, On to Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Roller Coaster Year: Authentic Goes The Distance In Historic Kentucky Derby

There simply aren't enough words, in any language, to describe the depth of emotions felt around Churchill Downs on this historic Kentucky Derby day on the first Saturday in September.

Outside the gates, protesters chanted the name of Breonna Taylor, the woman killed by city police in Louisville, Ky. back in March, as they marched all the way around the track. The NFAC (Not F*cking Around Coalition), a self-described black militia, knelt on the lawn just outside Churchill's front gates, separated from law enforcement by a single chain-link fence.

Overhead, news helicopters drowned out the bugler's stirring rendition of My Old Kentucky Home while a plane displayed a banner reading “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor.”

In the grandstand, the horses' hoofbeats echoed through the empty seats, since the worldwide pandemic kept fans away from the 2020 Run for the Roses.

Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert could do nothing but watch when one of his two Derby contenders, Thousand Words, reared up and flipped over in the Kentucky Derby paddock. Not only was Baffert devastated for the colt's connections, but the trainer's long-time assistant Jimmy Barnes suffered a broken arm in the incident and was taken to an ambulance as the horses approached the starting gate.

Minutes later, Baffert screamed home his other Derby entrant, 8-1 chance Authentic, as the 3-year-old son of Into Mischief led the field from gate-to-wire to win by 1 1/4 lengths. The victory ties Baffert for the all-time Kentucky Derby record of six victories, set by trainer Ben Jones.

“I told John (Velazquez, jockey) in the paddock, I said, 'Do it for Jimmy,'” an emotional Baffert relayed from the winner's circle. “All I can say is this horse ran out of his mind. Johnny V. –perfect ride. I owe it all to my crew. Jimmy, poor guy is in an ambulance right now, he can't enjoy it. This is so emotional the ups and downs in this game. Unbelievable.”

It was a microcosm of the year that was 2020 in the Baffert barn: a roller coaster ride that appears far from over.

Early in the Derby prep season, Baffert had his hands full with budding superstars Charlatan and Nadal, but the classic was delayed by COVID-19. Instead, Baffertd sent the colts out to win split editions of the Arkansas Derby on the first Saturday in May. Both colts subsequently had to be removed from consideration for the Kentucky Derby due to injury.

Authentic had made a bit of a name for himself with wins in the Sham and San Felipe, but he finished second to fellow Kentucky Derby rival Honor A. P. in the Santa Anita Derby. The colt bounced back to win the Grade 1 Haskell by a nose over Derby rival Ny Traffic, but that effort over 1 1/8 miles left his capacity for the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance in doubt. Authentic's Haskell jockey, “Big Money” Mike Smith, chose to ride Honor A. P. in Louisville, so Baffert put in a call to another Hall of Famer, John Velazquez.

Velazquez already had two Kentucky Derby winners to his name: 2011 with Animal Kingdom (Graham Motion), and 2017 with Always Dreaming (Todd Pletcher).

The final field of 15 that lined up in the Kentucky Derby starting gate was the smallest since 1998, and Authentic drew the far outside post. Velazquez used the clear racing room and the long run to the first turn to send his mount straight to the front, passing Storm the Court to gain a one-length advantage. While the first quarter was quick, 22.92 seconds, Velazquez was able to slow the pace down enough to cross the half-mile marker in :46.41, and he timed the first six furlongs in 1:10.23.

Though 3-5 favorite Tiz the Law, the Belmont and Travers winner, appeared to be getting a perfect stalking trip in third on the outside of Storm the Court, Authentic's mid-race breather was just enough. When Tiz the Law drew up alongside Authentic at the head of the lane, Velazquez asked the colt for everything he had.

Authentic responded, repelling Tiz the Law's bid and driving away to win the 146th Kentucky Derby by 1 1/4 lengths. He completed the 1 1/4-mile journey over the fast main track in 2:00.61.

Mr. Big News made a big move from the back of the pack and appeared loaded turning for the wire, but flattened out a bit late and finished third, 3 1/4 lengths behind Tiz the Law. Honor A. P., who'd been bumped out of the gate and shuffled back to second-last at the start, ran on well to finish fourth.

The remaining order of finish was as follows: Max Player, Storm the Court, Enforceable, Ny Traffic, Necker Island, Major Fed, Sole Volante, Winning Impression, Money Moves, Attachment Rate and South Bend.

Authentic is the first Kentucky Derby winner for co-owner B. Wayne Hughes of Spendthrift Farm. He shared the win with Starlight Racing, Madaket Stable, and the group MyRacehorse, which invited fans to purchase a micro-share of the colt prior to the Derby. According to MyRacehorse social media accounts, 4,500 people got to experience the feeling of owning the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

Bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Authentic is out of the winning Mr. Greeley mare Flawless. He commanded a final bid of $350,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sale, and his record now stands at five wins and one second from six starts, with earnings over $2.8 million.

Baffert's other five Kentucky Derby winners are: Justify (2018, Triple Crown winner), American Pharaoh, (2015, Triple Crown winner), War Emblem (2002), Real Quiet (1998), and Silver Charm (1997).

Ben “Plain Ben” Jones' six Kentucky Derby winners are: Hill Gail (1952), Ponder (1949), Citation (1948, Triple Crown winner), Pensive (1944), Whirlaway (1941, Triple Crown winner), and Lawrin (1938).

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More Baffert Magic in Derby 146

Bob Baffert’s formidable GI Kentucky Derby line-up had continued to dwindle along this extended Triple Crown trail–with one of his entries even scratching in the paddock Saturday–but the last colt standing, Authentic (Into Mischief), provided the Hall of Fame conditioner with a record-tying sixth trophy in the “Run for the Roses.” Odds-on favorite Tiz the Law (Constitution) ranged up to challenge the winner, but was repelled, and settled for second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths. Huge longshot Mr. Big News (Giant’s Causeway) was this year’s trifecta crasher, while second choice Honor A. P. (Honor Code) rallied for fourth after getting roughed up at the start and hung very wide throughout. The winner stopped the clock in 2:00.61.

Representing the powerful partnership of Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing, 8-1 Authentic broke a bit slowly but worked his way from the outside post to the lead while at first traveling with his head cocked towards the nearly empty grandstand. He was several lanes off the fence into the first turn with Tiz the Law perched in fourth in what appeared to be a good spot. Ny Traffic (Cross Traffic), who broke outward sharply at the start and into Honor A. P., prompted from the pace from Authentic’s right hip with champion juvenile Storm the Court (Court Vision) taking up the pocket spot along a rail that had seemed dull over the past two race days. Early splits were up in :22.92, :46.41 and 1:10.23, and Tiz the Law ranged up around the home bend to set the stage for a stretch battle. Authentic and Tiz the Law were head and head as they straightened, but the favorite was a bit slow to switch leads as Authentic–whose prior stretch antics had been well documented–continued on straight and strong. Tiz the Law had every opportunity to go by, but it was Authentic’s day as he bounded away a clear-cut winner. According to Trakus data, Tiz the Law covered 23 feet (approximately 2 3/4 lengths) more than the winner, while Honor A. P. had to navigate an additional 49 feet (5 3/4 lengths).

Baffert’s other runner, Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift’s Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile), went down in the paddock while being saddled and was a late defection. Baffert’s assistant Jimmy Barnes was injured in the incident and appeared to suffer a fractured wrist or arm.

“Unbelievable. I’m worried about Jimmy. He broke his arm,” an emotional Baffert said after the race and before Authentic wheeled and knocked down Baffert and several others during the trophy presentation. “All I can say is this horse ran out of his mind. [John Velazquez]–perfect ride. I owe it all to my crew. Jimmy, poor guy is in an ambulance right now, can’t enjoy it. This is so emotional the ups and downs in this game. Unbelievable.”

Baffert’s six Derby wins tied the mark set by mid-20th century conditioner Ben Jones. His last two Derby winners, American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018), completed their respective Triple Crown sweeps.

This was New York-based fellow Hall of Famer Velazquez’s third Derby win.

“It’s always a concern that you let the horse do too much early in the race,” said the veteran pilot. “You like to save ground and save some horse for the end. Bob was pretty certain the horse was ready today. I let him get loose and get comfortable. I waited until the horses got to him to get after him and he responded right away. Bob kept telling me to make sure I saved that last eighth of a mile. I want that eighth of a mile. He said I want you to hit left-handed and he responded. It worked out the way we had planned it. Very proud of the horse.”

A 1 1/2-length debut winner sprinting at Del Mar in November, Authentic aired by 7 3/4 lengths in Santa Anita’s one-mile GIII Sham S. in early January. He dominated the GII San Felipe S. Mar. 7 over Honor A. P. and Storm the Court, and was the favored individual entry at 6-1 when Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby wager closed the following day.

Despite his obvious credentials and then-unblemished record, however, Authentic soon seemed potentially as low as third on Baffert’s Derby depth chart behind ‘TDN Rising Star’ Nadal (Blame), who himself went to three-for-three a week after the San Felipe in Oaklawn’s GII Rebel S.; and ‘Rising Star’ Charlatan (Speightstown), who paired up big figures in a Mar. 14 optional claimer for an ownership group that overlapped with Authentic’s.

By the close of Pool 4 on Apr. 5, and after COVID-19 confusion had begun, Authentic was 10-1, Nadal was 9-1 and still just two-for-two Charlatan was 5-1 along with Tiz the Law, who had romped in the GI Curlin Florida Derby a week earlier.

Authentic remained in the barn for all of April and May, while Nadal and Charlatan each annexed divisions of the GI Arkansas Derby on would-be Kentucky Derby day, May 2.

But Baffert’s Derby hand was looking significantly weaker even before Authentic was bested by Honor A. P. in the June 6 GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. Nadal was retired in late May due to a condylar fracture, and on the same day as the Santa Anita Derby it was revealed that Charlatan would be forced to miss the GI Belmont S. due to an ankle injury. Charlatan, who has not been seen since, was disqualified from his Arkansas Derby win due to a lidocaine positive, as was subsequent MGISW Gamine (Into Mischief) for her allowance win on the same card. Baffert was issued a 15-day suspension.

Meanwhile, B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift had purchased a majority interest in Authentic just days before the Santa Anita Derby from SF Racing, Fred Hertrich, John Fielding and Golconda Stables, and the colt’s number of owners grew exponentially when the Spendthrift-backed micro-share syndicate MyRacehorse bought in shortly after Authentic’s first defeat.

Authentic had last been seen hanging on by a nose over Ny Traffic in the July 18 GI TVG.com Haskell S. at Monmouth after seeming to be well on his way to a much more dominant victory before easing up late. MGSW juvenile Thousand Words appeared to give Baffert another shot at the roses when he returned to winning ways and held off Honor A. P. in the Aug. 1 Shared Belief at Del Mar.

Hughes Gets His Classic…

This was the first Classic win for Spendthrift principal B. Wayne Hughes, the billionaire founder of Public Storage and one of the sport’s most heavily invested participants. Spendthrift also stands Into Mischief.

“The fact that we own the horse, and then we own the stallion, who’s the best stallion in America–and now he’s even more the best stallion in America…we are so blessed. I will tell you that. We’re very, very thankful,” said Spendthrift President Eric Gustafson, who noted that Hughes and his wife Patty had hosted a Derby party at Spendthrift.

Gustafson added, “This was maybe the most surreal day of my life because you are here at the Derby and you’ve got–nobody’s here. And then we have two horses. We’re lucky enough to have Thousand Words in the race as well. He flips over in the paddock, and so we were just down in the dumps about that. We were low. And best wishes out to Jimmy Barnes on that, because he got hurt in the process, unfortunately. And we hope and pray that he’s okay and that Thousand Words is okay.”

According to on-call veterinarian Dr. Kathy Anderson, Thousand Words escaped without injury: “The good news is the horse is absolutely fine. He did misbehave in the paddock and was scratched after he fell over sort of onto his side… he’s returned to the stable area. Had a thorough examination by Dr. Kevin Dunlavy, his regular practitioner, and has been cleared for service with not a scratch upon him. So we’re very pleased with that outcome.”

“This is the first time I’ve ever had this and first time I’ve ever seen it happen in the Derby to have one scratch in the paddock,” said Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey. “And I feel really terrible for our partners, the Albaughs. They have been great partners and have had some wonderful horses. And we were really excited about our chances with him as well.

“But to turn right around and have Authentic do what he did. And it was really sort of fun to watch, for obvious reasons, but also, you know, there weren’t too many people that really believed he could do the 1 1/4 [miles]–and he did it. And not only did he do it, but he held off the best horse in America. I think when you beat a horse like that, I think it’s even more gratifying.”

See Kentucky Derby Q&A with B. Wayne Hughes for more.

Quadruple Crown Not Meant to Be…

While the Triple Crown is an extremely difficult feat in a normal year, this year’s spread-out series figured to present its own challenges. After appearing invincible in the Belmont and Aug. 8 GI Runhappy Travers S., the public’s pick Tiz the Law suffered his second career defeat in his second trip to Churchill Downs–he was third with trouble in last November’s GII Kentucky Jockey Club S.

“I’m the only person who returned from the Funny Cide days, so we had a whole new group of people, their first experience in the Kentucky Derby,” said Sackatoga Stable’s managing partner Jack Knowlton, who first made his way into the public eye during 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide’s Triple Crown run. “Even though it didn’t turn out the way we hoped it would, certainly no shame in the race he ran. He’ll be back. Hopefully he’ll come out of the race well and we’ll look to go on to Baltimore [for the Oct. 3 GI Preakness S.] and hopefully win that and get some revenge.”

Tiz the Law’s trainer Barclay Tagg dismissed speculation about his runner’s glue-on shoes–saying the colt had raced in them every time–and added, “He’s run well every time. He ran a good race today. He got beat.”

More from the Participants…

“Like I said, it’s a great accomplishment. But, you know, I’m here because of the clientele, the hard work that’s put in, people around me. I surround myself with really great people. And it’s fun. I enjoy working.

“I got a beautiful wife that when I feel a little bit down, Jill keeps me up. And to me, I was more happy for Jill winning this, because she has to endure the pain that I have to go through, especially this year. It’s craziness that I’ve had to go up and down with what’s happened. And she’s right there. She’s my rock. And to me it’s more important that number six to beat–they’re so tough to win, these races.

“This one, they’re more enjoyable when you think going in, ‘I don’t know if I can win this or not’ because I really thought Tiz the Law was unbeatable. And I didn’t really–I thought I have a good horse, but we’re stuck way on the outside.” –Baffert on Derby win number six

“Equality For All. We believe that if we have equality for everybody, we won’t be in the mess we are in right now. Really. I think people have to look inside and be more peaceful. Obviously, we believe that humans need to take care of one another. I think it’s just equality for everybody will make the world much better.

“But it goes the same way to when things are going wrong or something makes a mistake by the law and everything, you need to be held accountable, definitely. So I think justice for everybody should be equality. And we’ll be much better and a better place.” –Velazquez in response to a question about the protests for racial justice held outside of Churchill Downs Saturday

“I had the trip that I expected. He just couldn’t go by the other horse. The other horse fought so hard. He was ready for today too.” –Tiz the Law’s rider Manny Franco

“You know what, [jockey] Gabe [Saez] did a wonderful job. The horse ran his guts out and we’re really proud. It’s just exactly what we wanted and I thought we were going to get the job done but those other two horses are awesome horses, congratulations to those connections. We just couldn’t be prouder. I stayed up until 1:00 a.m. Sunday night figuring out if I was going to run in the [GII American Turf S.] or the Derby and you see where we ended up.” –Chester Thomas, owner of Mr. Big News

“I was proud that he still put in an effort and ran OK. It wasn’t his best race by no means. I never dreamed he would struggle with the track. When we saw him train over the track this week, he was bouncing over it, but it was sloppy. He seemed to like that. His deepier, cuppier track–he has a big ‘ol flat foot. He just couldn’t get a hold out of it.  –Mike Smith, rider of Honor A. P.

“The inside post hurt him. He stood there too long and didn’t break well. He left himself a ton to do, but got up for fifth late. Just too much in front of him.” –Max Player’s trainer Steve Amussen

Derby Business, as Expected, Off Significantly…

Given the circumstances of this year’s re-positioned Derby–which featured a heavy favorite and just a 15-horse field compared to 19 in 2019–and the lack of on-track spectators besides limited owners and their guests, wagering was down significantly year over year.

Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby card totaled $126 million compared to $250.9 million on the 2019 Kentucky Derby Day program (a near 50% decline). All-sources wagering on the Derby itself was $79.4 million compared to $165.5 million last May.

“We are grateful to our fans and our community for their support of the 146th Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “We look forward to seeing our loyal fans at next year’s 147th Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on the first weekend of May.”

Pedigree Notes…

Authentic is one of seven highest-level winners for the nation’s leading stallion Into Mischief, and provided a bit of redemption for his stable and sire after brilliant MGISW Gamine’s third-place run in Friday’s GI Kentucky Oaks. Into Mischief himself never raced beyond 1 1/16 miles, and if there was something missing on his CV it was siring a winner at a Classic distance–Authentic is Into Mischief’s first Grade I winner at 10 panels or farther.

The Derby winner is also one of seven Grade I winners for broodmare sire Mr. Greeley. He is out of ‘TDN Rising Star‘ Flawless, who aired by 13 1/4 lengths in her seven-furlong Belmont unveiling for Bill Mott and breeder Peter Blum as a sophomore in May of 2010. She earned a 93 Beyer in her only other start, finishing second to eventual GSP Bahama Bound (Empire Maker), whose 2-year-old of this year is an Into Mischief filly who has finished second in both of her first two starts. Flawless produced Bodemeister colts in mid-May of 2018 and 2019. She was unsuccessfully bred to Mastery last term, and was reunited with Into Mischief for 2021.

Twenty-seven yearlings by Into Mischief sold for more than the $350,000 cost Authentic in 2018. He was part of an $11,430,000 expenditure at that year’s sales by a group consisting of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding and Ben Goldberg and Elliott Friman’s Golconda Stables. Nicknamed “The Avengers” by Baffert, the powerful team was established with the express goal of acquiring Classic-type colts who Baffert could develop into stallion prospects. Several of the entities involved with Authentic were also in on 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
KENTUCKY DERBY PRESENTED BY WOODFORD RESERVE-GI, $3,000,000, Churchill Downs, 9-5, 3yo, 1 1/4m, 2:00.61, ft.
1–AUTHENTIC, 126, c, 3, by Into Mischief
                1st Dam: Flawless, by Mr. Greeley
                2nd Dam: Oyster Baby, by Wild Again
                3rd Dam: Really Fancy, by In Reality
($350,000 Ylg ’18 KEESEP). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC,
MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables LLC & Starlight Racing;
B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-John
Velazquez. $1,860,000. Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0,
$2,871,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tiz the Law, 126, c, 3, Constitution–Tizfiz, by Tiznow.
($110,000 Ylg ’18 SARAUG). O-Sackatoga Stable; B-Twin Creeks
Farm (NY); T-Barclay Tagg. $600,000.
3–Mr. Big News, 126, c, 3, Giant’s Causeway–Unappeased (Ire),
by Galileo (Ire). ($95,000 Ylg ’18 FTKOCT). O-Allied Racing
Stable, LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-W. Bret
Calhoun. $300,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2, 1 3/4. Odds: 8.40, 0.70, 46.50.
Also Ran: Honor A. P., Max Player, Storm the Court, Enforceable, Ny Traffic, Necker Island, Major Fed, Sole Volante, Winning Impression, Money Moves, Attachment Rate, South Bend. Scratched: Finnick the Fierce, King Guillermo, Thousand Words.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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