Off a Del Mar Futurity third, Skinner may move on to American Pharoah

Skinner, third as a maiden in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs on Sept. 11, could stay in high-profile races, including the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 8.

Trainer John Shirreffs said on Friday the $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes is a leading option for Skinner, who was beaten 9 1/2 lengths by the impressive Cave Rock in the Del Mar Futurity while making his second start.

“We’ll see how he works and trains and nominate him for the race,” Shirreff said. “There are plenty of options with Skinner.”

Another possibility is a maiden special weight race at the Santa Anita autumn meeting, which begins on Sept. 30.

Owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stables, Skinner was fifth of 10 in his debut on July 24, overcoming trouble at the start to finish with interest. In the Del Mar Futurity, Skinner was last of nine on the backstretch and struggled with dirt in his face in the opening furlongs, jockey Victor Espinoza said last weekend.

:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, Picks, and more. Shop Now.

“The first part of the race he was up and down,” Shirreffs said. “He didn’t like the dirt at all.

“I thought he ran really well. I was pleased with the race.”

The winner of the American Pharoah receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Nov. 4.

Cave Rock and Havnameltdown, second in the Del Mar Futurity, are candidates for the American Pharoah, but trainer Bob Baffert said on Friday that he has not finalized plans for the pair.

The Shirreffs-trained Beyond Brilliant, winner of two graded stakes on turf in the last year, has resumed training after missing the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Sept. 3 when he sustained an inflamed ankle in a training mishap in late August.

Beyond Brilliant worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds at Del Mar on Sept. 11 and will be considered for a start in a Grade 2 worth $200,000 on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 1 – the City of Hope Mile or the John Henry Turf Championship at 1 1/4 miles.

Shirreffs has two other prominent candidates for major stakes at Santa Anita in early October.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

Express Train, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March, but a well-beaten fourth in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 3, will run in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 1. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic on Nov. 5 and a likely meeting against Flightline, winner of the Pacific Classic by a record 19 1/4 lengths.

Justique, a sharp maiden race winner for Shirreffs in July at Del Mar, may run in the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 8. She was sidelined with illness in early August, which prevented a start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 10.

The field for the John Henry Turf Championship may include Gold Phoenix, who won the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Sept. 3. Gold Phoenix earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

“We’ll see if we’ll possibly squeeze him in the John Henry or just the Breeders’ Cup,” trainer Phil D’Amato said on Friday. “He’s a horse that can run well fresh.”

Hong Kong Harry, who won the Del Mar Mile, is “possible” for the City of Hope Mile, D’Amato said.