Authentic’s Verifire delivers second straight blowout win in Pimlico allowance

Verifire strutted to a 6 ½-length allowance win in the opening race Friday at Pimlico in what was the second open-length victory in as many starts for the 3-year-old Authentic colt.

After winning his March 15 debut by 6 ¼-lengths and being named a TDN ‘Rising Star’ with a 92 Beyer Speed Figure, Verifire was bet down to 1-20 to repeat on Friday. He immediately went to the front without urging and cruised through fractions of :23.69 and :46.22.

Given his cue by Flavien Prat at the top of the Pimlico stretch, the chestnut bounded clear with ease and was in complete control the rest of the way. His final time for the six furlongs on a fast track was 1:10.65.

Verifire is trained by Brad Cox for Resolute Racing, who paid an even $1 million for the Kentucky-bred at the 2024 OBS March 2-year-old sale.

Verifire was bred by Gainesway Throughbreds LTD and is the second foal out of the Smart Strike mare Ruby Trust.

Authentic entered the day ranked third on the 2025 Second-Crop sire list. His five stakes horses are led by Wood Memorial (G2) winner Rodriguez, who is being pointed to the Belmont S. (G1).