2020 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic

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Authentic dispelled lingering doubts and proved he is the real deal with a powerful front-running victory against stablemate Improbable in the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Ke

Authentic dispelled lingering doubts and proved he is the real deal with a powerful front-running victory against stablemate Improbable in the $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course.

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner had been barely outdueled by the brilliant filly Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness Stakes, the final leg of this year’s pandemic-impacted Triple Crown. But he rebounded strongly to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his fourth Classic victory.

John Velazquez, the all-time leader in earnings among jockeys with more than $425 million, gained the breakthrough victory he had yearned for with his first Classic triumph. He had succeeded in numerous other Breeders’ Cup races, ranking second to Mike Smith with 17 victories and over $28 million in purses, and yet the centerpiece of the season-culminating event had been maddeningly elusive.

Not anymore.

“For me, it’s incredible. God, what a feeling. I don’t know what to say,” he told NBC as he and Authentic made their way to the winner’s circle.

Authentic will always hold a special place in Baffert’s pantheon of stars. He gave the trainer his record-tying sixth Derby triumph and allowed him to extend his record with his fourth Classic triumph, all with 3-year-olds. He previously rattled off three in a row with Bayern (2014), Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (2015) and Arrogate (2016).

Baffert, who is based in Southern California, is grateful he reached out to the opposite coast to tap Velazquez to ride Authentic, a colt he described as “quirky.”

“Johnny really knows him well,” Baffert said. “Once he got him in that rhythm, he’s just getting better and better. He’s caught up with the older horses. He’s just an unbelievable horse.”

In winning for the fifth time in seven starts this season, the Into Mischief colt ensured the Eclipse Award as 3-year-old champion and almost surely will deliver Horse of the Year honors for his owners, Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:59:02
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 8 1/4 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
11/01/2024	Sierra Leone Trainer / Chad C. Brown Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Smith, Brook T. and Brant, Peter M.	Chad C. Brown	Flavien Prat	Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Smith, Brook T. and Brant, Peter M.
11/03/2023	White Abarrio Trainer / Richard E. Dutrow Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable, LLC	Richard E. Dutrow	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	C2 Racing Stable LLC and La Milagrosa Stable, LLC
11/04/2022	Flightline Trainer / John W. Sadler Jockey / Flavien Prat Owner / Hronis Racing, Siena Farm LLC, Summer Wind Equine, et al.	John W. Sadler	Flavien Prat	Hronis Racing, Siena Farm LLC, Summer Wind Equine, et al.
11/05/2021	Knicks Go Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Korea Racing Authority	Brad H. Cox	Joel Rosario	Korea Racing Authority
11/06/2020	Authentic Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse, Madaket Stable, Starlight Racing	Bob Baffert	John R. Velazquez	Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse, Madaket Stable, Starlight Racing
11/01/2019	Vino Rosso Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable	Todd A. Pletcher	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
11/02/2018	Accelerate Trainer / John W. Sadler Jockey / Joel Rosario Owner / Hronis Racing LLC	John W. Sadler	Joel Rosario	Hronis Racing LLC
11/03/2017	Gun Runner Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Florent Geroux Owner / Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm	Steven M. Asmussen	Florent Geroux	Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm
11/04/2016	Arrogate Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Juddmonte	Bob Baffert	Mike E. Smith	Juddmonte
10/30/2015	American Pharoah Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Victor Espinoza Owner / Zayat Stables, LLC	Bob Baffert	Victor Espinoza	Zayat Stables, LLC
10/31/2014	Bayern Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Martin Garcia Owner / Kaleem Shah, Inc.	Bob Baffert	Martin Garcia	Kaleem Shah, Inc.
11/01/2013	Mucho Macho Man Trainer / Katherine Ritvo Jockey / Gary L. Stevens Owner / Reeves Thoroughbred Racing	Katherine Ritvo	Gary L. Stevens	Reeves Thoroughbred Racing
11/02/2012	Fort Larned Trainer / Ian R. Wilkes Jockey / Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. Owner / Janice R. Whitham	Ian R. Wilkes	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	Janice R. Whitham
11/04/2011	Drosselmeyer Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / WinStar Farm LLC	William I. Mott	Mike E. Smith	WinStar Farm LLC
11/05/2010	Blame Trainer / Albert M. Stall, Jr. Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / Claiborne Farm and Dilschneider, Adele B.	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	Garrett K. Gomez	Claiborne Farm and Dilschneider, Adele B.
11/06/2009	Zenyatta Trainer / John A. Shirreffs Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S.	John A. Shirreffs	Mike E. Smith	Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S.
10/24/2008	Raven's Pass Trainer / John H. M. Gosden Jockey / Lanfranco Dettori Owner / H.R.H. Princess Haya of Jordan and Darley Stable	John H. M. Gosden	Lanfranco Dettori	H.R.H. Princess Haya of Jordan and Darley Stable
10/26/2007	Curlin Trainer / Steven M. Asmussen Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables, Bolton, George and Midnight Cry Stables	Steven M. Asmussen	Robby Albarado	Stonestreet Stables, Padua Stables, Bolton, George and Midnight Cry Stables
11/03/2006	Invasor (ARG) Trainer / Kiaran P. McLaughlin Jockey / Fernando Jara Owner / Shadwell Stable	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	Fernando Jara	Shadwell Stable
10/28/2005	Saint Liam Trainer / Richard E. Dutrow Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K.	Richard E. Dutrow	Jerry D. Bailey	Warren, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. William K.
10/29/2004	Ghostzapper Trainer / Robert J. Frankel Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Stronach Stables	Robert J. Frankel	Javier Castellano	Stronach Stables
10/24/2003	Pleasantly Perfect Trainer / Richard E. Mandella Jockey / Alex O. Solis Owner / Diamond A Racing Corporation	Richard E. Mandella	Alex O. Solis	Diamond A Racing Corporation
10/25/2002	Volponi Trainer / Philip G. Johnson Jockey / Jose A. Santos Owner / Amherst Stable and Spruce Pond Stable	Philip G. Johnson	Jose A. Santos	Amherst Stable and Spruce Pond Stable
10/26/2001	Tiznow Trainer / Jay M. Robbins Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Cees Stable LLC	Jay M. Robbins	Chris J. McCarron	Cees Stable LLC
11/03/2000	Tiznow Trainer / Jay M. Robbins Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Cooper, Michael and Straub-Rubens, Cecilia	Jay M. Robbins	Chris J. McCarron	Cooper, Michael and Straub-Rubens, Cecilia
11/05/1999	Cat Thief Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Overbrook Farm
11/06/1998	Awesome Again Trainer / Patrick B. Byrne Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Stronach Stables	Patrick B. Byrne	Pat Day	Stronach Stables
11/07/1997	Skip Away Trainer / Hubert Hine Jockey / Mike E. Smith Owner / Carolyn H. Hine	Hubert Hine	Mike E. Smith	Carolyn H. Hine
10/25/1996	Alphabet Soup Trainer / David E. Hofmans Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Ridder Thoroughbred Stable	David E. Hofmans	Chris J. McCarron	Ridder Thoroughbred Stable
10/27/1995	Cigar Trainer / William I. Mott Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Allen E. Paulson	William I. Mott	Jerry D. Bailey	Allen E. Paulson
11/04/1994	Concern Trainer / Richard W. Small Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Robert E. Meyerhoff	Richard W. Small	Jerry D. Bailey	Robert E. Meyerhoff
11/05/1993	Arcangues Trainer / Andre Fabre Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Daniel Wildenstein	Andre Fabre	Jerry D. Bailey	Daniel Wildenstein
10/30/1992	A.P. Indy Trainer / Neil D. Drysdale Jockey / Eddie J. Delahoussaye Owner / Farish, Goodman, Kilroy and Tsurumaki	Neil D. Drysdale	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	Farish, Goodman, Kilroy and Tsurumaki
11/01/1991	Black Tie Affair (IRE) Trainer / Ernie T. Poulos Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Jeffrey S. Sullivan	Ernie T. Poulos	Jerry D. Bailey	Jeffrey S. Sullivan
10/26/1990	Unbridled Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Frances A. Genter	Carl A. Nafzger	Pat Day	Frances A. Genter
11/03/1989	Sunday Silence Trainer / Charles E. Whittingham Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Gaillard, Hancock III and Whittingham	Charles E. Whittingham	Chris J. McCarron	Gaillard, Hancock III and Whittingham
11/04/1988	Alysheba Trainer / Jack C. Van Berg Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Scharbauer, Dorothy and Pamela	Jack C. Van Berg	Chris J. McCarron	Scharbauer, Dorothy and Pamela
11/20/1987	Ferdinand Trainer / Charles E. Whittingham Jockey / William Shoemaker Owner / Mrs. H. B. Keck	Charles E. Whittingham	William Shoemaker	Mrs. H. B. Keck
10/31/1986	Skywalker Trainer / Michael C. Whittingham Jockey / Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. Owner / Oak Cliff Stable	Michael C. Whittingham	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	Oak Cliff Stable
11/01/1985	Proud Truth Trainer / John M. Veitch Jockey / Jorge Velasquez Owner / Darby Dan Farm	John M. Veitch	Jorge Velasquez	Darby Dan Farm
11/09/1984	Wild Again Trainer / Vincent A. Timphony Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Black Chip Stable (William M. Allen)	Vincent A. Timphony	Pat Day	Black Chip Stable (William M. Allen)