Spendthrift acquires majority interest in undefeated SA Derby-G1 contender Authentic

B. Wayne Hughes’ Spendthrift Farm has acquired a majority ownership interest in the undefeated three-year-old colt Authentic, who is set to go postward as the likely favorite in Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby-G1.

Spendthrift joins forces with Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables which have both retained an ownership interest in the talented son of Into Mischief – North America’s reigning champion general sire who stands at Spendthrift. SF Racing, Fred Hertrich, John Fielding and Golconda Stables – all part of the original ownership group – have sold their respective interests in Authentic.

“We are very excited to join an accomplished team on such a talented and promising colt as Authentic,” said Ned Toffey, general manager at Spendthrift. “We believe Into Mischief is still in the early stages of his successes, and we are hopeful Authentic can be a significant part. This colt possesses all the signature attributes we have come to know from Into Mischief, and we feel strongly that those attributes are going to carry on through his sons in the breeding shed.”

As a two-year-old, Authentic won on debut going 5 ½ furlongs at Del Mar. He jumped straight onto the Kentucky Derby trail and scored runaway victories in the Sham-G3 and San Felipe-G2 at Santa Anita in his lone pair of starts as a three-year-old. In the one-mile Sham, Authentic stamped himself as a leading classic contender, cruising to a dominant 7 ¾-length win in his stakes and two-turn debut. He affirmed that status in his most recent effort, capturing the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe by decisive 2 ¼ lengths over Honor A. P. and champion two-year-old Storm the Court.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Authentic breezed a bullet six furlongs in 1:12.40 last Sunday in his final workout before the Santa Anita Derby, where he will again be ridden by jockey Drayden Van Dyke. The colt is currently ninth on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 60 points. Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby is worth 100 points to the winner.

“Authentic was a beautiful yearling, an unfurnished May foal at the time but with a wonderful presence and way about him,” said Tom Ryan of SF Racing. “Watching Bob and his team develop this colt, with his two-year-old win at Del Mar and two more domineering wins as a three-year-old, has been a great experience. Bob and Drayden have believed in him from the beginning and he has completely validated their confidence. Authentic is the very best of Into Mischief, with brilliance in abundance and an effortless running style that should carry him the distance.”

Donato Lanni, who signed for Authentic as a yearling for $350,000, described his impression of the colt at the 2018 Keeneland September Sale: “He was a very athletic mover, a fast-looking colt with the size and scope to carry his speed.”

An earner of $331,200 to date, Authentic is out of the Mr. Greeley mare Flawless and was bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum.