Haskell Invitational Results 2020: Authentic Tops Ny Traffic in Photo Finish

Authentic is one step closer to the Kentucky Derby with a tight victory at the 2020 Haskell Invitational on Saturday at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. 

The Bob Baffert-trained colt entered as the favorite in the seven-horse field at -120 (bet $120 to win $100), with Dr Post (+185) and Ny Traffic (+700) serving as the biggest challengers to grab the winning share of the $1 million purse. 

What seemed like a runaway after Turn 4 turned into a photo finish with Ny Traffic making a late push for the lead.

By virtue of a win on Saturday, Authentic has earned an automatic entry in the Breeders' Cup currently scheduled for early November at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Here's a look at the results from the 1⅛-mile Haskell Invitational:

2020 Haskell Invitational Betting Payouts (Win, Place, Show)

1. Authentic ($3.20, $2.60, $2.10)

2. Ny Traffic (N/A, $4.20, $2.40)

3. Dr Post (N/A, N/A $2.10)

4. Jesus' Team

Recap

After pulling ahead by three lengths heading into the home stretch, both Dr Post and Ny Traffic attempted to make a move on Authentic. Dr Post pulled up with only a few lengths left, but it appeared Authentic became distracted and began easing up.

"He's an extremely talented horse," jockey Mike Smith told NBC. "But he's still got some growing up to do ... He's got a lot of room to improve."

Baffert entered Saturday's race with a record eight victories at the Haskell Invitational, and the ninth only moves him further ahead. 

Like his jockey, Baffert was equally concerned Authentic had lost interest by the end of the race. 

"I'm just like everyone else saying, 'You better stay after him, you better stay busy,'" Baffert said on NBC. "Because he looks at everything. I could tell he wasn't focused going down the stretch, but he held on. [He] saw that horse coming and took off again."

Authentic's victory earns him 100 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings, placing him squarely in second place with 200 total points behind Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law (272 points). Authentic's total earnings have now reached $980,000 as well. 

Last year's Haskell winner and fellow Baffert entry Maximum Security crossed the finish line first at the 2019 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified for interference shortly after the race. With Authentic, Baffert has a shot at redemption, though he's already won the Run for the Roses five times.

2015 Triple Crown horse American Pharoah, also Baffert-trained, is the last Haskell winner to officially win the Kentucky Derby.