Authentic shows top form in Kentucky Derby drill
DEL MAR, Calif. - There may be questions over whether Authentic can stretch his speed to 1 1/4 miles Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, but there is no question he's coming into the biggest test of his life as good as can be. This was confirmed Sunday morning at Del Mar when he completed his serious training for the Derby with a strong drill that capped off an excellent series since his victory in the Haskell.
Authentic worked shortly after 6:30, following the first renovation break of the day, and was given an official time of 1:12.40 for six furlongs, though he went out another furlong for a seven-furlong clocking that trainer Bob Baffert had in 1:24. He worked alone, with exercise rider Juan Ochoa up.
"Beautiful," Baffert said as Ochoa brought Authentic to a stop after the work was over. "Now that's a Derby work right there."
Ochoa was similarly impressed.
"Nice. Really nice," he said to Baffert via radio before galloping back.
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
Authentic was working only five days after his previous drill. Sunday's work was his sixth local drill since the Haskell on July 18. In the last 17 days, Authentic has worked three times at six furlongs and once at a mile. This is typical of Baffert heading into the Derby. He knows what it takes to win, having captured the race five times, and he trains to win, not to merely participate.
Had the Derby been held on May 2, Authentic would have been competing before his actual third birthday, which was May 5. Baffert said the postponement has allowed Authentic, in fact this whole group, to mature and develop.
"All these horses, they're more mature. They're not the same horses they were in May," Baffert said.
Baffert will have two entrants in the Derby, as he will also run Thousand Words, the upset winner of the Shared Belief. His two runners, along with fellow California-based Derby runners Honor A. P. and Storm the Court, are scheduled to fly to Kentucky early Monday.
Attachment Rate drills at Churchill Downs
At Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Attachment Rate was the only worker Sunday during the 7:30 a.m. training period reserved for Derby and Oaks starters, going five furlongs in 1:01.20 over a fast track.
With Faustino Herrarte aboard for trainer Dale Romans, Attachment Rate went in splits of 12.60, 24.60, 37, and 48:80, proceeding strongly through the turn for an “out” time of 1:14 for six furlongs.
“We should be all set now,” Romans said. “I’m happy.”
Attachment Rate, a chestnut colt by Hard Spun, earned a career-high 95 Beyer Speed Figure when finishing second behind Art Collector in his most recent start, the Aug. 9 Runhappy Ellis Park Derby.
Joe Talamo has the Derby mount.
Seven Derby candidates recorded final pre-race breezes Friday and Saturday at Churchill, the most notable being Art Collector, one of the top favorites. Art Collector, with Brian Hernandez Jr. back up substituting for regular exercise rider James Lopez, went back to the track Sunday for an easy jog after getting Saturday off following his Friday work.
Entries for the Derby will be drawn Tuesday morning at 10:45 in the Aristides Lounge. As of Sunday, it does not appear the 20-horse limit will be reached, given the Saturday defections of Dr Post and Shirl’s Speight and with Rushie likely to go instead in the Pat Day Mile. The last time fewer than 20 were entered was 2003.
The long-range weather forecast for Derby Day in Louisville calls for sunny skies and a high of 80.
– Additional reporting by Marty McGee