How fast did Derma Sotogake run Saturday when he dazzled in the UAE Derby? The colt’s time was the second-fastest UAE Derby since the race moved to Meydan and lengthened to 1 3/16 miles in 2010. But compared to the Dubai World Cup time, Derma Sotogake probably ran “faster” than UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn, who won in a record 1:55.19 over a quick Meydan surface in 2018. That year, Thunder Snow won the 1 1/4-mile Dubai World Cup in 2:01.38, fastest at Meydan. The median final-time difference between the 9 1/2-furlong UAE Derby and 10-furlong Dubai World Cup is roughly five seconds. The difference when Mendelssohn romped was 6.19 seconds. Mendelssohn ran fast; he was assigned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure. Derma Sotogake was not assigned a figure, but his 1:55.81 time produced the most extreme difference between the UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup – 7.44 seconds. Ushba Tesoro won the Dubai World Cup in 2:03.25. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more The raw times do not account for pace, wind, ground loss, or surface-speed changes during the Dubai World Cup program. All it suggests is that that Derma Sotogake ran exceptionally fast. If a figure was assigned, it probably would be comparable to the 106 given Mendelssohn. The fast time in the UAE Derby also does not temper the historical challenge facing Churchill Downs-bound Derma Sotogake. Some 18 horses who made their last start in Dubai have run in the Kentucky Derby; none hit the board. The highest finish was Master of Hounds, fifth in 2011. Skinner gets shadow roll Equipment changes typically are noted in past performances, but not an important change this year to Santa Anita Derby contender Skinner. Beyond natural maturation at age 3, Skinner added a key piece of equipment that is partly responsible for his improvement – a shadow roll. Skinner did not wear a shadow roll in three starts last year; trainer John Shirreffs added the equipment this year and Skinner produced a highly rated maiden win followed by a respectable third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes. The trainer explained two purposes of a shadow roll, which is padding attached to a horse’s bridle that sits across their nose. Shirreffs said the first reason “is for focus. You’re limiting a little bit of their vision [on the ground directly in front]. So, you’re getting more focus.” A second reason is a shadow roll causes a horse to lower his head. Shirreffs said Skinner “seems to carry his head a little bit high sometimes, especially in the morning.” Wearing a shadow roll, Skinner lowers his head and lengthens his stride. “He’s got a little bit of a short neck, so we try to do everything we can to lengthen his body, to stretch him,” Shirreffs said. “As a horse lowers its head, the length of their stride increases.” Skinner, owned by Lee and Susan Searing, will enter the Santa Anita Derby on April 8 as one of the top choices behind San Felipe one-two finishers Practical Move and Geaux Rocket Ride. Geaux Rocket Ride keeps stiff company If a horse was judged solely by his company in morning workouts, Geaux Rocket Ride would be the horse to beat in the Santa Anita Derby. Working six furlongs on Sunday, Geaux Rocket Ride outworked a very good stablemate. Who is Planetario? “He’s a Group 1 winner from Brazil,” trainer Richard Mandella explained. Planetario won five of his first eight starts, including two Group 1s, but Mandella advised not to overemphasize Geaux Rocket Ride running away from Planetario in the work. Planetario is a long-distance turf horse, the type that often do not show their best in dirt works. Geaux Rocket Ride worked in 1:13. Mandella said “he’s coming around” and reiterated that Geaux Rocket Ride must win the Santa Anita Derby or “have a good reason for not winning” to warrant a shot in the Kentucky Derby. Pin Oak Stable owns Geaux Rocket Ride, whose two starts include a debut sprint win and runner-up finish in the San Felipe. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.