BOB Baffert strengthened his hand for the Kentucky Derby when his colt Authentic came out of the latest trial in last Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes with a still-unbeaten record.

The well-regarded Honor A. P. and the champion two-year-old Storm The Court were second and third, respectively, while Authentic’s stablemate Thousand Words was fourth. The winner is by Into Mischief who was also responsible for Saturday’s Gotham Stakes winning favourite Mischievious Alex at Aqueduct.

Authentic was making it three wins from three, having run away with the Grade 3 Sham Stakes over a mile in Del Mar, beating Azul Coast, winner of the El Camino Real Derby next time out.

Authentic went off favourite against Baffert’s other runner Thousand Words and he led into the first turn from Storm The Court. He posted solid fractions to a half mile in 46.71 secs, and had put away the pursuers entering the home turn.

Honor A. P. stayed on well but Authentic had plenty left and held sway late by two and a quarter lengths.

This was a record seventh San Felipe win for Baffert. “He stumbled a little bit leaving there, and I anticipated that, but he’s so quick on his feet,” Baffert said. “But when I saw the fractions, 22 and change, it was fast, but he doing it so easy. The really good ones do that and I just love the way he looked down the backside. Turning for home I saw Mike Smith coming with that good horse and I said, ‘We’ll see what he’s made of. But he handled it well and he wasn’t tired.

“He’s a special horse and this was probably one of the toughest prep races that we’ve seen so far. Those were really good horses in there. We hope to stay healthy and run in the Santa Anita Derby.”

River Boyne gets his Grade 1

There were two Grade 1s on the card and the former Gordon Elliott-trained River Boyne, a son of Dandy Man bred by Limestone & Tara Studs got his first Grade 1 win when he lunged up the rail to beat the favourite Got Stormy by a neck in a thrilling three-wide finish to the Frank E. Kilroe Mile. Next Shares was another head back complete the blanket finish.

The Grade 1 winning mare Got Stormy chased the pace-setting Kingly through the opening half mile in 46.49 seconds. In the straight, she led by a length and a half but was just run down inside the final furlong.

“A perfect trip, I told Abel [Cedillo] to try and get the same trip he did last time. This time he had to go inside instead of outside. Abel has done a great job keeping him in position, that’s the way he like to run and he’s got a really good kick down the lane,” said trainer Jeff Mullins.

The Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap went to John Sadler with what might have been a second string in Combatant after his number one Gift Box was scratched.

Shock Tampa Bay Derby winner

There was a surprise winner of the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby when King Guillermo at almost 50/1 took over from longshot Relentless Dancer nearing the straight, and went several lengths in front. Favourite Sole Volante came with a run up the rail into second, but never came close to threatening the surprise winner.

King Guillermo is owned by former major league baseball player Victor Martinez. The Uncle Mo colt earned 50 qualifying points toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby, which is usually enough to be among the top 20.

Alex steps up at Aqueduct

Sent off as the 8/5 favourite, Mischevious Alex took the next step toward the Kentucky Derby in taking the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Ridden by Kevin Carmouche, Mischevious Alex broke well out of the gate and settled in fourth place in the early going as War Stopper showed the way. He moved up to second at the half-mile marker and Carmouche guided the colt to the outside.

At the far turn, the rider gave signal and they bounded away from his rivals in the stretch.

Untitled came breathing down his neck for a moment but Mischevious Alex crossed the wire two lengths in front of Untitled.