Authentic held off a furious late charge by NY Traffic to win Saturday's $1 million Haskell S. (G1) by a nose, earning the 3-year-old colt another 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Authentic now has a total of 200 points in the Challenge series and is assured a starting spot in the Sept. 5 Run for the Roses.

Ridden for the first time in five starts by Mike Smith, the Eddie Woods training grad went to the lead almost immediately, with NY Traffic staying within a length of the leader through the first six furlongs. At the top of the stretch, Authentic pulled away to a three-length lead, but NY Traffic made a bold late move to come up just short at the wire.

The final time for the 1 1/8-miles was 1:50.45 on a fast main track.

“He’s a colt with an abundance of talent. Ability is something he does not lack. He’s got a lot of it,”  said Smith of the Bob Baffert trainee. “I rode him well past the wire just to show him to keep running. I didn’t want him to think it was over when he hit the wire.” 

Saturday's win was Authentic's first Grade 1 victory, his previous stakes wins came in the Sham S. (G3) and San Felipe S. (G2).

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing, Authentic is 4-1-0 in five starts and has earned $1,011,200.