Kentucky Derby 2020 Rankings: Authentic cracks the Top 5

Photo: Eclipse Sportswire

While the top spot in Horse Racing Nation's 2020 Kentucky Derby contenders rankings continues to be held by Dennis’ Moment, last weekend's prep results led to significant change.

Bolstered by his Sham Stakes (G3) win, Authentic moved up to the No. 4 in the user-generated list, a result of HRN readers assigning star ratings to various 3-year-old colts. To begin putting your spin on the rankings, sign up for a free account today.     

Garnering a 90 Beyer Speed Figure, Authentic romped home at Santa Anita Park by 7 3/4 lengths over stablemate Azul Coast. The Bob Baffert-trained son of Into Mischief colt, whose greenness in the stretch doesn't seem to have deterred HRN readers, is next expected to put his 2-for-2 record in the line in a March prep race.

Others in the Top 5 as of noon Tuesday were Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Structor and Eight Rings, a Grade 1 winner from the Baffert barn.

Also on the move up is Chance It, who advanced to No. 11 after taking Gulfstream Park's Mucho Macho Man Stakes. The Currency Swap colt, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., outlasted As Seen on Tv going a one-turn mile to set himself up for a start on the Derby trail.

Meanwhile, among those moving down is Honor A. P. The expected Sham favorite missed the race -- it would have marked his stakes debut -- with trainer John Shirreffs saying the colt was "off" on his right-front. It is unknown when the Honor Code colt could race again.

Next on the Derby trail are the Jan. 18 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds and the Jan. 24 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Click through to see a the full Derby contender rankings:

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