It was another win for Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and Bob Baffert in the Longines Classic at the 2020 Breeders’ Cup, Saturday November 7, 2020 at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.
Wearing number 9, the three-year-old colt got off to a good start and took the lead in the opening ¼ mile over the ten-horse pack, followed by his stablemate Maximum Security in second and Tiz The Law in third on the rail. Into the setting sun at Keeneland, the pack headed up the backstretch with Authentic still in the lead by a length and a half. Around the far turn, it was still Authentic every step of the way. As they turned into the stretch, Authentic was under pressure from both sides, as Improbable moved up on the outside (the two Bob Baffert horses), but Authentic dug in for speed and put more distance between himself and his challengers. The announcer exclaimed, “It’s Authentic in front. He won the Derby! He won the Breeders’ Cup Classic! He’s Authentic, indeed! He won it by two and a half! It was Improbable in second, followed by Global Campaign in third.” The handsome grey Tacitus finished fourth.
The race culminated in year-end honors for this Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez had the winning ride, leading gate to wire in the $6 million dollar G1 race. “It’s incredible,” said Velazquez, whose 18th career Breeders’ Cup riding victory was his first in the Classic. “Thanks to God and to the whole team. The older, I get the more emotional I get. It worked out perfectly. He did everything I wanted him to do.”
Trainer Bob Baffert notched his fourth career Classic win. He said he was “happy for Wayne Hughes (of Spendthrift Farm) and everybody. That was awesome!”
The colt, by Into Mischief, was purchased for $350,000 as a yearling. He has now earned $6,191,200 for co-owners Spendthrift Farm, MyRacehorse.com, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing.
In order to protect the health and safety of the racing community, the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships were conducted without fans.
Wearing number 9, the three-year-old colt got off to a good start and took the lead in the opening ¼ mile over the ten-horse pack, followed by his stablemate Maximum Security in second and Tiz The Law in third on the rail. Into the setting sun at Keeneland, the pack headed up the backstretch with Authentic still in the lead by a length and a half. Around the far turn, it was still Authentic every step of the way. As they turned into the stretch, Authentic was under pressure from both sides, as Improbable moved up on the outside (the two Bob Baffert horses), but Authentic dug in for speed and put more distance between himself and his challengers. The announcer exclaimed, “It’s Authentic in front. He won the Derby! He won the Breeders’ Cup Classic! He’s Authentic, indeed! He won it by two and a half! It was Improbable in second, followed by Global Campaign in third.” The handsome grey Tacitus finished fourth.
The race culminated in year-end honors for this Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez had the winning ride, leading gate to wire in the $6 million dollar G1 race. “It’s incredible,” said Velazquez, whose 18th career Breeders’ Cup riding victory was his first in the Classic. “Thanks to God and to the whole team. The older, I get the more emotional I get. It worked out perfectly. He did everything I wanted him to do.”
Trainer Bob Baffert notched his fourth career Classic win. He said he was “happy for Wayne Hughes (of Spendthrift Farm) and everybody. That was awesome!”
The colt, by Into Mischief, was purchased for $350,000 as a yearling. He has now earned $6,191,200 for co-owners Spendthrift Farm, MyRacehorse.com, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing.
In order to protect the health and safety of the racing community, the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships were conducted without fans.
