They're at the gate....
We're a mere hours away from the harmonious chimes of Steve Buttleman's bugle as he calls the thoroughbreds to post. It may be September 5th. The Belmont may have already run. But by God it's Derby Day in America and 20... scratch that, 18... scratch that, 16 of the finest thoroughbreds in the world are geared up for the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Yesterday in the Kentucky Oaks we saw an upset of heavy favorites Gamine and Swiss Skydiver. An epic race in which a well rested filly surprised the field and lasted the mile and an 1/8 to record the fastest time in the 146 year history of the race. Will Tiz the Law face the same fate as Gamine? And if so, which stallion will play the role of Shedaresthedevil?
Here's a hint; you might not have to look far from Tiz the Law's post at 17.
One horse over, all the way to the outside at 18, stands Authentic. One of two Bob Baffert horses in this year's Derby, Authentic has a shot to make bettor's some money with an 8-1 morning line. He obviously has the trainer in Baffert (5x Derby winner). He has the jockey in John Velasquez (one of only two Derby winners in the field (the other is Old Man Mike Smith)). And take a look at Authentic's last 5 outings:
7/18/20 - Monmouth - 1st
6/6/20 - Santa Anita - 2nd
3/7/20 - Santa Anita - 1st
1/4/20 - Santa Anita - 1st
11/9/19 - Del Mar - 1st
This horse is used to winning and with both Charlatan and Nadal unable to race, Authentic surely received heavy attention from Baffert's team.
(Editor's Note: This was written on Derby Day before the race and never published. I'm publishing it now because I can. Don't feel the need to add anything because what I wrote then was right on the money. Authentic. Just like me. Boo ya.)
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