Authentic kicked off his road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) with a 7 3/4-length score in the $100,000 Sham S. (G3) at Santa Anita, with his stablemate Azul Coast finishing second in the one-mile contest for 3-year-olds.

Authentic was a record sixth Sham S. winner for Bob Baffert, who won the inaugural running in 2001. 

The Sham was the second start for Authentic, a debut winner Nov. 9 at Del Mar. Authentic had no trouble getting to the lead on Saturday, coasting through the first half-mile in :47.94 and six furlongs in 1:12.18, when he had a 2 1/2-length lead. The son of Into Mischief poured it on in the stretch to win as he pleased in 1:3.7.57.

"You want to see him run like that, especially this time of year. We've got some other ones back there. Hopefully, they'll come along, but the timing is good for him now to run in the March race," Baffert said, referring to the March 7 San Felipe S. (G2).

 The colt earned 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Saturday's victory. 

SF Bloodstock and Starlight West bought Authentic for $350,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The colt campaigned is by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Fred Hertrich III, John Fielding, and Golconda Stables has earned $91,200.