STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023

Photo: Ernie Belmonte

- • SKINNER HAS FINAL KENTUCKY DERBY WORK WITH HERNADEZ UP - • DERBY HOPEFULS PRACTICAL MOVE, REINCARNATE LEAVE FOR KY. - • HIGH-PRICED ULTIMATE GAMBLE TAKES NEXT STEP ON SUNDAY __- • SEABISCUIT TRAM TOUR RETURNS TO SANTA ANITA __ - • BERRIOS, GUTIERREZ EACH WIN TWO RACES ON FRIDAY __- • SOON TO BE HALL OF FAMER NAKATANI WILL BE HONORED MAY 5 __ __- • SANTA ANITA WILL HOST KENTUCKY DERBY WATCH PARTY __

SKINNER HAS FINAL KENTUCKY DERBY WORK WITH HERNADEZ UP

Skinner turned in his final work for the May 6 Kentucky Derby Saturday at Santa Anita. With Santa Anita leading rider Juan Hernandez in the irons for the first time, Skinner drilled six furlongs in 1:14 flat shortly after the 6:30 a.m. renovation break.

“I was very happy with how he worked,” said Shirreffs, who won the 2005 Kentucky Derby with longshot Giacomo. “We wanted another work like last week. We wanted to start off easy and finish strong with a good gallop-out. Keep him thinking about finishing.”

Saturday’s move was Skinner’s second-straight work going six furlongs. Last Sunday, he worked the distance in 1:13.40. The Curlin colt is scheduled to depart Santa Anita for Churchill Downs on Sunday at around 3:30 a.m., Shirreffs said.

Skinner was most recently beaten about a half-length when third to Practical Move in the Grade I Santa Anita Derby April 8. In the Santa Anita Derby and Skinner’s four previous starts, he was ridden by Hall of Famer and three-time Kentucky Derby winner Victor Espinoza. That will not be the case in the Kentucky Derby. On Thursday, when Skinner officially made the 20-horse Derby field, the decision was made by Skinner’s connections to replace Espinoza with Hernandez.

Shirreffs said Hernandez was encouraged by Skinner’s work.

“Juan said he thought the horse was very professional and did everything right,” the trainer noted.

Skinner is owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s C R K Stable. As a 2-year-old, he commanded $510,000 at the OBS April Sale. Skinner made two starts this year prior to the Santa Anita Derby—a maiden win going a mile here Feb. 12 and a third in the GII San Felipe, which was also won by Practical Move, on March 4.

Post positions for both the 149th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will be drawn on Monday beginning at 11 a.m. PT.

DERBY HOPEFULS PRACTICAL MOVE, REINCARNATE LEAVE FOR KENTUCKY

Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move and stablemate Reincarnate left Santa Anita for Churchill Downs at about 3:30 a.m Saturday morning, trainer Tim Yakteen’s top assistant John Applegarth confirmed. Both are slated to run in next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Practical Move and Reincarnate, who is exiting a third in the GI Arkansas Derby April 1, each had their final Kentucky Derby works Friday at Santa Anita. Practical Move drilled five furlongs in 59.60 seconds, which was the second-fastest of 33 moves at the distance, while Reincarnate worked a bullet four furlongs in 46.40 seconds. It was the fastest of 30 works at the distance.

Yakteen will be seeking his first Kentucky Derby win with the two colts in the 1 ¼-mile classic. Practical Move will be ridden by regular rider Ramon Vazquez, whose only previous Kentucky Derby ride came with longshot Mr. Z in 2015. They finished 13th behind winner American Pharoah. Reincarnate will have Hall of Famer John Velazquez back in the irons. Velazquez’s three Kentucky Derby wins came aboard Animal Kingdom in 2011, Always Dreaming in 2017 and Authentic in 2020. He also crossed the wire first aboard Medina Spirit in 2021, but that colt was later disqualified due to a medication overage.

Practical Move is owned by Jean Pierre Amestoy, Leslie A. Amestoy and Roger K. Beasley. The Practical Joke colt enters the Kentucky Derby with three straight graded-stakes wins. Prior to the Santa Anita Derby on April 8, Practical Move won the GII San Felipe here on March 4 and the GII Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 17. Vazquez was aboard for all three wins.

Reincarnate won the GIII Sham here on Jan. 8. He was then a troubled third in the GII Rebel at Oaklawn Park prior to his effort in the Arkansas Derby.

Post time for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby is scheduled for 3:57 p.m. PT.

HIGH-PRICED ULTIMATE GAMBLE TAKES NEXT STEP SUNDAY FOR GLATT

Ultimate Gamble began to live up his $1.75 million purchase price on April 1 at Santa Anita when he returned from a 7 ½-month layoff to win a maiden special weight going a mile on the main track. On Sunday, the 3-year-old Medaglia d’Oro colt will face winners and older horses for the first time in an entry-level allowance going 1 1/16 miles on dirt.

Trained by Mark Glatt, Ultimate Gamble was purchased by owner Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal at last year’s OBS Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training. He made one start last year as a juvenile, finishing fourth going 6 ½ furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 13.

Ahead of his comeback effort, Glatt said Ultimate Gamble was given the rest of the year off to let him develop. In his return, Ultimate Gamble set just off the early pace under Frankie Dettori before pulling clear at the top of stretch and crossing the wire a handy 2 ¼-length winner. The winning time of 1:36.60 earned a promising 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

Ultimate Gamble has worked well since graduating. He drilled five furlongs in a sharp 59.20 seconds on April 17 and then came back on Monday with another five-furlong work in 1:00.60.

Glatt is looking forward to Ultimate Gamble’s first test against winners.

“He bounced out of his race really well. Your first start against winners is the toughest jump in horse racing,” Glatt said. “We’ll see if he passes that test. Particularly a 3-year-old against older. There are some tough veterans in there, but I think he’s ready for the next step.”

Ultimate Gamble was ridden by Frankie Dettori for his maiden win, but with that jockey no longer at Santa Anita, Hall of Famer Mike Smith will take over. Smith rode Ultimate Gamble in his debut last year.

Ultimate Gamble is the 6-5 morning-line favorite in Sunday’s seventh race. His chief rivals include Katonah, who most recently was second in a one-mile allowance for trainer Doug O’Neill; and allowance winner Mastering, who is in for the $50,000 optional claiming price for Bob Baffert.

Post time for Sunday’s seventh race is scheduled for 4:06 p.m.

SEABISCUIT TRAM TOUR RETURNS TO SANTA ANITA ON SATURDAYS

The Seabiscuit Tram Tour is back at Santa Anita. The guided tour, which is free of charge, departs Clocker’s Corner at 9:45 a.m. each Saturday through June 17 with some exceptions. It includes a visit to Santa Anita’s Stable Area, Receiving Barn, Paddock Gardens and a drive by Seabiscuit’s original barn and stall. Participants will also walk through the Silks Rooms before visiting the saddling paddock.

The Seabiscuit Tram Tour will not be offered next Saturday May 6, May 20 and June 10. Free parking is also available through Gate 8 off Baldwin Avenue. To reserve a spot, visit www.santanita.com/tramtour or call (626) 574-6677.

FINISH LINES: Multiple graded-stakes winners Taiba and Faiza, along with Grade I-placed National Treasure, all worked five furlongs for trainer Bob Baffert Saturday. Taiba went in 59.60 seconds, National Treasure in 1:00.60 and Faiza in 1:01.60…Jockeys Hector Berrios and Mario Gutierrez each rode two winners on Friday’s nine race card. They move into a tie for fourth in the Hollywood Meet jockey’s standings behind leader Juan Hernandez who has six through four racing days…Recently minted Hall of Fame jockey Corey Nakatani will be honored at Santa Anita with the Corey Nakatani Hall of Fame Purse on Kentucky Oaks Day, Friday, May 5…There were 94 workers Friday at Santa Anita including multiple graded-stakes winner Forbidden Kingdom, who drilled five furlongs in 1:00.00…Racing action next week at Santa Anita includes the GIII Senorita for 3-year-old fillies on the hillside turf course and Lazaro Barrera for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on Kentucky Derby day. On Sunday, Santa Anita will host the Singletary Stakes for 3-year-olds going a mile on turf… There is a Rainbow 6 Jackpot carryover of $166,5190.77 entering Saturday’s card…Santa Anita will host a Kentucky Derby Trackside Watch Party Saturday May 6. For $55, fans will receive a Practical Move Santa Anita Derby Winner T-Shirt, beverage of your choice which includes Mint Juleps, a reserved picnic table seat, admission and parking, program and tip sheet plus a $5 betting voucher…ADMISSION GATES WILL OPEN ON FRIDAY AND KENTUCKY DERBY DAY, SATURDAY AT 7:15 A.M. FIRST LIVE RACE POST TIME ON FRIDAY IS AT 1 P.M. AND ON DERBY DAY, FIRST POST IS 12:30 P.M.