ARCADIA, Calif. – Authentic is ready to spring forward. On the final day of standard time, the unbeaten 3-year-old colt continued to enhance his Kentucky Derby credentials with a front-running victory over several high-class rivals in the Grade 2, $401,000 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Santa Anita. Authentic ($4.40) bobbled leaving the gate but otherwise led his rivals throughout, prevailing by 2 1/4 lengths over the well-regarded Honor A. P., who was making his first start in nearly five months. Storm the Court, last year’s champion 2-year-old male, tried Authentic early but yielded late and finished third, 3 1/2 lengths behind Honor A. P. The biggest disappointment was Thousand Words, who checked in fourth, 5 1/2 lengths behind Storm the Court while suffering his first loss following three victories. The rest were overmatched. Wrecking Crew, Fort McHenry, and Swagsational completed the finish, in that order. Authentic covered 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:43.56 following fractions of 22.84 seconds, 46.71, 1:11.32, and 1:36.89. He earned 50 points on the system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the Derby on May 2, and now has 60 points overall. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more “Pretty exciting to have a horse like this,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Authentic for a partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables. “He glides over the ground, like a gazelle.” Authentic won his first start sprinting Nov. 9 at Del Mar, then won the Grade 3 Sham Stakes going one mile on Jan. 4, earning 10 points towards the Derby. He raced erratically through the stretch that day, though, so Baffert used ear plugs on him Saturday and Authentic ran straight and true. “He handled everything perfect,” Baffert said. “He was a gentleman in the paddock.” Drayden Van Dyke has been aboard Authentic for all three of his starts, and for his works between races, too. Van Dyke said Authentic “took a tiny stumble coming out of the gate,” but by midway down the backstretch, said Authentic was “cruising.” “Drayden did a good job getting him right back up,” Baffert said of the bobble leaving the gate. “Got him into a nice rhythm. “I’m happy for Drayden. He works hard. He’s always liked this horse.” :: To stay up to date, follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Mike Smith, who rode Honor A. P., was thrilled with his colt’s performance. He had not raced since beating maidens in his second start back in October. He earned 20 points for finishing second. “I thought he ran an amazing race,” Smith said. “I has hoping to get within two of Authentic, who I thought was the horse to beat. He missed time. He deserves a chance, that’s for sure.” There’s a good chance both Authentic and Honor A. P. will meet again in four weeks in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, which offers 170 points overall, including 100 for first. “He will definitely stay home,” said Baffert, who said his other San Felipe runner, Thousand Words, “would probably have to go somewhere else,” naming the Wood Memorial and Blue Grass Stakes, both April 4, the same day as the Santa Anita Derby. Authentic, by Into Mischief, was part of a large group of yearlings purchased by his ownership group – many of whom were part of Triple Crown winner Justify – in September 2018, with the purpose of sending them to Baffert. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni picked out Authentic. “You’ve got to have a guy like Donato buying them and a trainer like Baffert,” said Jack Wolf, who heads Starlight Racing. It’s springtime. The Derby is approaching. And Baffert is on the march. You can set your clocks by it.