Skinner, who has been scratched twice since finishing a close third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby April 8, tops a field of six in the $125,000-guaranteed Los Alamitos Derby.
Restricted to 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, the Derby – which was known as the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park (1974-2013) – will be run for the 10th time at Los Alamitos Saturday. It will be the last of nine races. Post time is 1 p.m. and approximate post time for the Derby is 5:05 p.m.
Owned by C R K Stable LLC and trained by John Shirreffs, Skinner, a son of Curlin and the Malibu Moon mare Winding Way, was scratched a day before the May 6 Kentucky Derby due to an elevated temperature, then missed the June 4 Affirmed at Santa Anita because Shirreffs reportedly didn't like the way he galloped preparing for the race.
A $510,000 purchase the Ocala Breeders Sale in April of last year, Skinner was defeated by a half-length by Practical Move in the Santa Anita after finishing third in the G2 San Felipe five weeks prior. He's 1-for-6 with earnings of $216,300.
Shirreffs and C R K Stable LLC also entered Smart Mo, a first out winner going one mile May 26. A Mo Town colt out of the Smart Strike mare Vendita, Smart Mo, a 9-1 shot, defeated favored Worcester by a head. The victory was worth $36,600.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Los Alamitos Derby six consecutive years and seven of the last eight, will be represented by Reincarnate.
A gray son of Good Magic and the Scat Daddy mare Allanah owned by a large partnership that includes SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan, Reincarnate has been idle since finishing 13th in the Kentucky Derby.
That's the only time the $775,000 yearling buy has been worse than third in eight career outings. He's won twice – including a 16-1 upset in the Grade III Sham Jan. 8 – and banked $345,650.
Prince Abu Dhabi will ship to Southern California after five starts at Golden Gate Fields for owners Lance and Steve Kimross and trainer Blaine Wright.
A Palace Malice gelding out of the High Chaparral mare American Girl, Prince Abu Dhabi has won four of five and earned $124,200.
All four of his wins came over the Tapeta surface and his lone loss was on turf in the Alcatraz May 28.
Owned by Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd and trained by Peter Miller, Abeliefinthislivin returns to California after a pair of starts at Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs.
An Arrogate colt out of the Pulpit mare Half A.P., Abeliefinthislivin has one win in six attempts and a bankroll of $87,950. His win came going six furlongs as the 3-5 favorite March 27 at Santa Anita.
Yellow Brick is a six-start maiden for owner-breeders Ramona and Perry R. Bass II and Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.
A Quality Road colt out of the More Than Ready mare A Little Bit Sassy, Yellow Brick has four seconds and two thirds and has earned $67,280. He's been the beaten favorite in his last pair, most recently when missing by a head to Act Three May 29.
From inside out, the field for the Los Alamitos Derby: Yellow Brick, Hector Berrios rides, 122 pounds; Reincarnate, Juan Hernandez, 122; Skinner, Mike Smith, 122; Prince Abu Dhabi, Alexander Chavez, 122; Smart Mo, Joe Bravo, 122 and Abeliefinthislivin, Ramon Vazquez, 122.
There will also be a handicapping contest Saturday and the Los Alamitos Racing Association will offer a cash prize and a pair of berths in the 2024 National Thoroughbred Racing Association Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas.
Cost to enter is $500. Of that amount, $100 will be placed in the contest prize pool with the remaining $400 going towards a live money wagering card.
Tournament races will include the entire card at Los Alamitos with permitted wagers including win, place, show, exactas, trifectas and daily doubles. Each entry must bet at least $50 on a minimum of five races that day, but there is no wagering limit.
The player with the highest bankroll at the end of the day will be declared the winner and the player with the second highest bankroll will be the runner-up.
The winner will receive 50% of the prize pool. The remaining payoffs: 20% (2nd place), 15% (3rd place), 7.5 % (4th place) and 7.5% (Most Money Wagered).
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