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MEET THE DERBY

CONTENDERS

By Johnny D., @XBJohnnyD

TIZ THE LAW: He’ll be the heavy Kentucky Derby favorite. And he’s earned that distinction by being
nearly perfect in 7 lifetime starts — his only loss coming in the slop at Churchill Downs when he had some
traffic issues. He’s earned over $2 million and has won the Grade 1 Champagne, Grade 3 Holy Bull, Grade
1 Florida Derby, Grade 1 Belmont and Grade 1 Travers, respectively. Amazing! This son of Constitution has
perfectly hit every note in trainer Barclay Tagg’s detailed composition and it’s been music to the ears
of owners Sackatoga Stable — a small-time outfit that also sniffed roses in Louisville with Funny Cide in
2003. He has tactical speed, so he should be ‘in’ the race from the start. Detractors say he hasn’t beaten
anyone yet. Supporters counter that he’s whipped everyone he’s faced in 2020. Scoreboard!

AUTHENTIC: This son of Into Mischief, trained by 5-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, held on to win the
Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park last out. Always highly regarded, this winner of 4 of 5 starts
and $1 million may not have the staying power to effectively carry his talent throughout the one mile
and one-quarter Kentucky Derby distance. His only defeat in 5 starts came at the hands of Honor A.P.
in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at one mile and one-eighth — same distance as the Haskell, which
he won by a nose over a fast-closing Ny Traffic. His weapon is a high-cruising speed and he should
be prominent early in the Louisville scrum. The real question, though, will be asked in that long Derby
stretch. How ‘Authentic’ will this colt then prove to be?

ART COLLECTOR: He’s very experienced with 5 wins in 9 starts. However, 3 of those 5 victories came in
non-stakes events and just 1 was against graded competition (Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland).
He’s earned ‘only’ $664,380. If you’re looking for a ‘hot’ horse peaking at the right time to threaten Tiz the
Law, this could be your guy. He’s won his last 4 in a row, culminating with a facile triumph in the August
8 Ellis Park Derby. He’s another runner who performs best close to the lead. Like the Derby favorite, Art
Collector is unbeaten in 2020; he’s just done it against presumably lesser foes.

HONOR A.P.: This son of Honor Code has gotten more press for what he’s liable to do than for
what he’s actually done. With just 2 wins — a maiden race and the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby — and
3 seconds in 5 starts, he’s got something to prove in Louisville. It’s clear tremendous potential
bubbles just below his hide. Derby-winning trainer John Shirreffs must unleash it on the first Saturday
in September. Honor A.P. is a big, grinding colt that runs best from off the pace. He’ll appreciate
the presence of so many ‘pace-setters’ and ‘pressers’ in this race. Will he finally stand up and be
counted? If willing, you should get a decent price to find out.

* Contenders listed in order of the top-8 official Kentucky Derby points qualifiers

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