2020 Kentucky Derby Winner and Race Result
Authentic, ridden by jockey John Velazquez and trained by Bob Baffert, won the 2020 Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 30 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race was run at 1 1/4 miles on a dirt track, and Authentic defeated a field of 14 other horses to capture the first leg of the Triple Crown. The event was moved from its traditional early May date to late May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it took place with a limited in-person crowd at Churchill Downs. Authentic's victory marked the fourth career Kentucky Derby win for trainer Bob Baffert and the first for owner WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Head of Plains Partners. The race was broadcast on NBC, and the final time for Authentic's winning run was 2:00.61, according to the official Churchill Downs timing data Churchill Downs.
Post-Position, Odds, and Payout Information
Authentic drew post position 14 and went off as the morning-line favorite at 5-2 odds before becoming the post-time favorite at approximately 6-5. The win pool payout for a $2 bet on Authentic to win was $12.60, while the exacta paid $10.80 for a $2 bet covering Authentic to win and Tiz the Law to place. The trifecta paid $26.40 for a $2 bet on Authentic, Tiz the Law, and Gouverneur placed 1-2-3, and the superfecta paid $126.60 for a $2 bet matching the same order. Authentic's Kentucky Derby purse was $1.86 million, part of the total race purse of $3 million, which was reduced from the usual $3 million first-place prize in previous years due to the adjusted format Forbes. The race attracted significant national attention because it was the first major U.S. sporting event held during the loosening of pandemic restrictions, and Churchill Downs implemented health and safety protocols for personnel and limited spectators.
Authentic's Background, Breeding, and Later Campaign
Authentic is a bay colt bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Head of Plains Partners, and he was sold as a yearling for $350,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. His sire is Into Mischief, and his dam is Flattering, with Candy Ride appearing twice in his third generation. After the Kentucky Derby, Authentic ran in the Preakness Stakes and finished third to winner Swiss Skydriver, then he won the Haskell Invitational and the Pennsylvania Derby before finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic to Tiz the Law. Authentic retired from racing with a record of six wins, one second, and one third from 11 starts, and he stands at stud at WinStar Farm's Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky, with initial stud fees set at $35,000 BloodHorse. His 2020 Kentucky Derby title remains one of the most notable racing achievements of the late 2010s and early 2020s, and it is frequently cited in discussions of