Written by Lou Ann Wilcox

A Chesterfield couple, Dr. Cynthia Fleck and her husband Randall Barker, were thrilled when their horse, Authentic, won this year’s 146th Kentucky Derby on the 5th of September. Trained by the famed Bob Baffert and ridden by world-renowned jockey John Velasquez, Authentic was a gift from Randall to Cynthia on their wedding anniversary. According to Fleck, they own a “major share of Authentic along with three other major shareholders” versus a smaller syndicated share.  

Authentic lost “by a neck” in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore on October 3rd. Next up for the thoroughbred is The Breeder’s Cup at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky, on the 6th and 7th of November.   

Authentic, a bay colt, was born in 2017. His Sire is the legendary stud Into Mischief of Spendthrift Farms. His Dam is Flawless of Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. Authentic also shows up in the great Secretariat’s fifth generation.