Watch Authentic upset Tiz the Law to win the 146th Kentucky Derby (Video)

Authentic wins the 146th Kentucky Derby, the most unusual race in the event’s rich history.

The 146th edition of the Kentucky Derby, much like everything else in 2020, was altered due to the presence of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. Normally, the race serves as the first leg of the Triple Crown in May, but was altered after the race was postponed until September. In its place, the Belmont Stakes kicked off the Triple Crown festivities back in June. The favorite entering the race was Tiz the Law, the winner of the Belmont Stakes, who was looking to become the 14th-ever Triple Crown winner.

On Saturday, the winner of the Kentucky Derby was crowned inside an empty Churchill Downs, and it was Authentic who crossed the finish line first in the traditional 1.25-mile race.

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Authentic, trained by Bob Baffert (of course) held the lead from the opening turn on. Despite a late challenge by Tiz the Law, it was too little too late as Authentic and John Velazquez saved their best for last, matching the Belmont winner stride for stride and eliminating any chance at a Triple Crown winner this year. What a duel is was.

Authentic wins the most bizarre Kentucky Derby in some time

Tiz the Law entered the race as the heavy favorite (4-5 odds), considering the New York-based horse earned wins at the Belmont, Travers Stakes and Florida Derby this year. The only race that the 3-year-old lost was at Churchill Downs last November. Additionally, Tiz the Law trainer Barclay Tagg was looking to become the oldest trainer to ever win a Derby at the age of 82.

The race was limited to 16-horses, after Art Collector pulled out due to a foot injury and King Guillermo opted out after being diagnosed with a fever. King Guillermo was picking up steam as an upset pick among bettors with 20-1 odds. With King Guillermo out, Max Player (19-1), Ny Traffic (14-1), Money Moves (13-1), Authentic (9-1) and Honor A.P. (8-1) served as the most viable options across the field, via the Kentucky Derby’s official website. Thousand Words (10-1) was a late scratch as he flipped in the paddock just minutes before the race.

Despite the unusual circumstances, the 2020 edition of the Kentucky Derby will go down in the history books.