DREAMS
What are the odds of a couple who grew up thousands of miles from one another actually meeting each other, falling in love, getting married and continuing their family tradition of horse racing? Do dreams really come true? In this case, the answer is a resounding “YES!” Timing is everything, and for this husband and wife team, their ambitious vision was destined to become blissful reality.
What started as a novel wedding anniversary gift of a certain bay colt to Dr. Cynthia Fleck from her husband, Randall Barker, ended in a genuine Kentucky Derby 2020 win on Sept. 5 in Louisville.
American Thoroughbred racehorse Authentic took the lead about 1/4 mile into this year's race and stayed there for a commanding win over his Triple Crown-seeking competitor. For this Chesterfield couple who owns a sizable share of this formidable racehorse, it couldn't have been a more thrilling highlight after the COVID-19 pandemic scrambled this year’s Triple Crown schedule, moving the Kentucky Derby from May 2.
In thoroughbred racing, horses usually mature to race after being trained at approximately age 3. Authentic, who descends from the bloodlines of the Storm Cat branch shaped by the Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, was foaled May 5, 2017. Cynthia says those four extra months after the race delay gave Bob and Authentic time to prepare to not just participate, but to actually be a contender.
“Authentic was the second best gift I ever received besides my husband’s love," Cynthia reflects.
Randall chuckles, “With the markets being uncertain, I thought owning a racehorse would be a decent investment. If not, it will be a heck of a lot of fun!”
Cynthia says Authentic's sire is the renowned stud Into Mischief (Spendthrift Farms; B. Wayne Hughes), trained by one of the best, Richard Mandela) and Dam Flawless (Peter Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC, trainer William I. Mott).
"Our boy, Authentic also shows up in the great Secretariat’s fifth generation," she proudly proclaims.
Authentic launched his first start on Nov. 9, 2019, as a 2-year-old in a maiden special weight race at Del Mar Racetrack in California. His races prior to his Kentucky Derby victory include:
- Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 18, where he won.
- Runhappy Derby Day at Santa Anita Park on June 6, where he was 2nd place (he had a bad start).
- San Filipe Stakes in California on March 7; where he placed first.
Months of preparation culminate in 2 minutes of racing and the connections of only one horse will get Kentucky Derby glory. But before that, Cynthia says the connections of all 18 Kentucky Derby starters get their moment to bask in racing glory as they complete the Kentucky Derby walkover.
"There’s a quiet before the storm as each Kentucky Derby runner makes his way from the barn to the gap where he’ll circle until all starters have gathered to make the walk to the paddock. In past years, it becomes more chaotic as more horses and their connections arrive at the gap," she says. "The call is made for horses to move and the fun begins as everyone makes the quarter mile to the paddock tunnel."
In the past 145 Kentucky Derbys, she says owners, trainers, exercise riders, barn workers and friends basked in the cheers of nearly 160,000 screaming and clapping fans. "Hope is alive for everyone for their Derby dreams coming true. The walkover ends, and soon one will wear The Roses. This year’s Derby, there were no spectators, only a handful of owners and trainers. But the horses didn’t know any differently," she adds.
Authentic’s next races were the Preakness Stakes Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland, on Oct. 3, where he placed second, followed by the Breeder’s Cup in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 6-7. Neither race included live fans.
Cynthia and Randall's Back Story
Horse racing is not new to either one of these professionals.
Growing up in Calgary Alberta, Canada, as a young boy, Randall worked with his grandfather Harold who was a thoroughbred trainer. "Little Randy” was his grandfather's groom and his shadow. Randy grew to love and respect horses and really understand how they tick.
“I knew pretty quickly that they love to run,” Randall says.
He also enjoyed riding bareback rodeo when he was a younger man.
Randall’s career relocated him to the United States to become a global lead for customer experience at Monsanto. He then met Cynthia, a medical professional, at a popular restaurant in St. Louis. The couple has been inseparable since that first date. Today they have many of Grandpa Harold’s and Randall’s father's old photos, as well as horse racing art, in their Chesterfield home.
Cynthia, although a world traveler, has lived most of her life in West County St. Louis, specifically Chesterfield and Creve Coeur.
Growing up, Cynthia's mother, Judith, had a love of racehorses as well. She knew every jockey and thoroughbred racing parameters at all the Grade 1 races, watched every race on network TV and knew the stats like the back of her hand.
Judith had a secret wish of being a jockey since she was a little girl, a dream that continued her entire life. She knew since she was petite at 5 feet, 3 inches and 99 pounds, she would make a good rider. Unfortunately, she grew up during the Depression, so despite her love and devotion to the sport, she never saw her wish come true.
"Little Cyndi” learned to love horses and racing through her mother’s eyes and senses. She, too, wished she could be closer to horses and racetracks, but due to blooming careers, graduate and professional school, and a sparsity of cash for hobbies, it never materialized.
She Had A Feeling About A Happy Derby Ending
The “Draw,” as it's called in horse racing, occurs prior to the race. This tradition determines the horses' starting gate. Authentic’s position was a difficult draw at this Kentucky Derby, as No.18 is the farthest position from the inside rail. Getting that post meant Authentic would either have to run hard to get an early position, or run farther than most other horses because he was on the outside.
When jockey John Velasquez mounted Authentic during the call for “Riders Up," Cynthia says she whispered to Randall: “Darling, our boy Authentic is going to win!"
She says she just felt it in her heart.
The ritual singing of "Our Old Kentucky Home" took place, as well as the bugler playing “First Call” and the singing of the National Anthem before the bell went off, the gates opened and the horses were off.
While Authentic didn't break on the lead, he took that leading spot with his white blaze within the first 20 seconds. He then masterfully led the entire race to the most joyous, happy tears and stories to be told for generations about the young colt, Authentic, who won the Derby in 2020 during a pandemic.
Randall and Cynthia agree they look forward to seeing Authentic become one of the top stallions to carry on his prominent pedigree.
"Dreams not only come true, they can continue to bless us throughout our lives," says Cynthia.