LOUISVILLE, Ky. ā Briefly off the radar to set himself straight, Authentic now might have to get used to having a target on his back.
Bob Baffertās latest star achieved that by blowing past Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law to win going away Saturday at Churchill Downs. Though Authentic shattered hopes for a Triple Crown winner this year, he raised questions about what heāll do for an encore, which could include a possible rematch against Tiz the Law at the Preakness in Baltimore on Oct. 3. That race is the final jewel in this year's reshuffled Triple Crown.
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Tiz the Lawās team suggested after the Derby that the colt would be there, with owner Jack Knowlton adding to āhopefully win that and get some revenge.ā Baffert sounded just as eager Sunday as he digested Authenticās 1 1/4-length victory over the 3-5 favorite at Churchill Downs.
āRight now all systems are go for the Preakness as long as he looks healthy,ā the trainer said, āand knock on wood that they stay healthy. Thatās the main key.
āIāve been really lucky with him.ā
Shorter than the Derby at 1 1/8 miles, the Preakness allows Authentic to follow his blistering Derby trip of 2:00.61 and Tiz the Law to atone for his second-place finish. Itās certainly within Authenticās reach considering he brought a Haskell Stakes win at that distance into the Derby and was second to Honor A. P. in the Santa Anita Derby.
There figures to be other well-rested horses to contend with, though Baffert touted Tiz the Law as a formidable foe at Pimlico Race Course. Novemberās season-ending Breedersā Cup world championships at Keeneland also offer a chance to make a strong case for the Eclipse Award as the yearās top 3-year-old.
But those options are for later, and Baffert is happy that Authentic emerged from the Derby in good shape.
āHe was pretty sharp,ā said Baffert, who plans to keep the horse at Churchill Downs for the time being. āIām going to wait a week or two, see how he is. Then Iāll give him a little breeze here.
āRight now, at the end of the day Tiz the Law is still going to be tough. As long as (Authentic) is doing well, he gets on the plane and that means I feel good about it.ā
Baffert said Thousand Words could also be part of the Preakness plan despite being disqualified from the Derby when he reared up and fell backward in the paddock before the race. Assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes fractured his wrist in the process and underwent surgery that evening but was in the barn Sunday morning before heading back to California.
That moment began an emotional Derby roller coaster for Baffert, whose sixth win tied Ben Jones for the most by a trainer. The Hall of Famer was soon lifted by Authenticās wire-to-wire victory from the No. 18 post, then knocked over in the winnerās circle by the horse when he became bothered by ribbons attached to the garland of roses.
All of which put Baffert in a reflective mood the day after. He noted that Authentic was the last of a group of 60 horses purchased and that he needed time off to mature. It worked as the horse notched his fifth victory in six career starts.
That it came on the sportās biggest stage was ironic to Baffert.
āWe pick them out and theyāre all part of it,ā he said of his horses. āAnd actually, Authentic was the last one. He was the last one we bought, and he wins the Derby.ā