Authentic colt “strikes” in Ellis Park debut

Authentic Strike showed incredible heart to win at first asking on Aug. 12 at Ellis Park, winning a stretch-long duel to become the third winner for his sire Authentic.

Authentic Strike took the lead soon after the start of the seven-furlong maiden special weight contest for 2-year-olds and was under pressure the entire trip. Kevin’s Strike was his main competition through the first half-mile, then Kinetic Control mounted his challenge coming into the stretch. Those two were inseparable down the lane, with Authentic Strike prevailing by a neck in a remarkably courageous effort.

The winner, who picked up $41,285 in victory, is owned by Ann Harrison and Renata Hendrickson, who purchased the chestnut colt for $450,000 out of this year’s OBS March 2-year-old sale.

Authentic Strike was bred in Kentucky by BlackRidge Stables LLC.

Authentic also got his first stakes horse over the weekend when the filly Adeera placed in the $175,000 Ellis Park Debutante S. Adeera was Authentic’s first winner as a sire earlier this year at Churchill Downs.