Authentic accomplished what he needed to accomplish on Saturday, earning his first Grade 1 victory in the $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park, and succeeding at 1 1/8 miles. But the performance continued to leave doubt as to his ability to go farther, the nagging concern that has followed him throughout the year as he has progressed towards the Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 and its 1 1/4-mile distance that looks like it will be a big hurdle. So the Haskell can be looked at through two prisms -- one for the day, in which Authentic continued to show he is clearly among the best 3-year-olds in the country, but also the one that looks to the future, and that’s opaque. :: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more. One constant is that the Haskell was won yet again by Bob Baffert, adding to the Hall of Fame trainer’s record haul in the race, which now stands at nine victories, beginning with Point Given in 2001. Authentic ($3.20), heavily favored against six other 3-year-olds, led every step of the way and just lasted over a persistent Ny Traffic to win the Haskell by a nose. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back to Dr Post, the Belmont runner-up, who was hampered by a pace that did not unfold at a quick enough tempo. The longshots Jesus’ Team, Fame to Famous, Lebda, and Ancient Warrior completed the finish, in that order  Authentic completed 1 1/8 miles on the fast main track in 1:50.45, nearly identical to the 1:50.47 recorded by the older Global Campaign in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup 65 minutes earlier. The victory was worth $600,000 in prize money, 100 points towards a spot in the Derby – he had plenty already and this just added to it -- and a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Keeneland via the Win and You’re In program. Authentic was favored off a body of work that included three victories to start his career – including stakes wins in the Sham and San Felipe – plus a runner-up effort behind the highly regarded Honor A. P. last time out in the Santa Anita Derby. Authentic has had trouble leaving the gate in some of his prior races, but he broke alertly from post 2 and was immediately put on the lead by Mike Smith, who was riding him in a race for the first time. Authentic set sensible fractions of 23.60 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.52 for the half, and 1:11.50 for six furlongs, with Ny Traffic in closest attendance throughout. As the field turned into the lane, Authentic extended his margin over Ny Traffic and was up by 2 1/2 lengths passing the furlong pole in 1:37.22 for one mile. But Ny Traffic, under Paco Lopez, closed stoutly in the closing yards, with Smith frantically urging Authentic after letting him breeze to deep stretch. “He’s extremely talented, but he still has some growing up to do,” Smith said on NBC’s telecast. Smith said Authentic “sees things,” and was reacting to shadows throughout the race. “He’s got a lot of room to improve,” Smith said. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Baffert, also on the NBC telecast, said he had warned Smith to “stay after him.” “He looks at everything,” said Baffert, who said he “might need a little blinker.” “He wasn’t laying it down. He was playing,” Baffert said. Authentic has now won four times in five starts, and the only horse who has finished in front of him is the second choice for the Derby. His paycheck on Saturday put him over the $1 million mark. Authentic, a $350,000 yearling purchase, is by Into Mischief and is out of a Mr. Greeley mare. He is owned by Spendthrift Farm, My Racehorse, Starlight Racing, and Sol Kumin’s Madaket Stable, in whose colors he ran Saturday. The Haskell was scheduled to be the final Derby prep for Authentic. He may need a new rider on Derby Day. Smith has been the regular rider for Honor A. P., who is scheduled to have his final Derby prep in the Shared Belief at Del Mar on Aug. 1. Ny Traffic also is headed to the Derby, according to his trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr. Although Ny Traffic has yet to win a Derby prep this year, he has acquitted himself well in a series of races. He was second to the highly regarded Maxfield in the Matt Winn and second to Wells Bayou in the Louisiana Derby in his two starts prior to the Haskell. “I just want to keep going forward, if all goes well. We are living the dream,” Joseph said. “He was off the bridle at the quarter pole and he had every reason to quit and he didn't. We’re proud of him.” -- additional reporting by Joseph Swavy