For Practical Move, time to get serious about Kentucky Derby

ARCADIA, Calif. – Practical Move earned a triple-digit Beyer in scoring a decisive victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita and emerging as a serious contender for the Kentucky Derby, while two-three finishers Geaux Rocket Ride and Skinner ran well enough to earn a start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8.

Trainer Tim Yakteen did not immediately state where Practical Move would run following his 100-Beyer San Felipe victory. Now that Arabian Knight has returned to the work tab, Yakteen must decide whether to start Practical Move and Arabian Knight both in the Santa Anita Derby, or split them up and put one on the road.

Arabian Knight, recently transferred to Yakteen after winning his first two starts for Bob Baffert, worked five furlongs in a quick 59.20 March 4. It was his first work since Feb. 13. Arabian Knight’s next start is likely to be the Santa Anita Derby, which will be an all-or-nothing bid to make the Kentucky Derby. Arabian Knight currently has zero qualifying points.

While the fourth-place San Felipe finish by pacesetter Hejazi eliminates him from Derby consideration, two-three finishers Geaux Rocket Ride and Skinner both came out of the San Felipe in good shape and will target the Santa Anita Derby, their trainers said Sunday morning.

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Geaux Rocket Ride, the 2.70-1 favorite, was making only his second career start in the San Felipe following a debut sprint victory for trainer Richard Mandella. “I’m very happy with him,” Mandella said Sunday. “It was an aggressive move to do that, but he did a good job. No reason to think he can’t get better.” Mandella will target the Santa Anita Derby.

Geaux Rocket Ride pressed the pace in the San Felipe, fought back in the lane, and finished 2 1/2 lengths behind Practical Move while earning a 96 Beyer, four points higher than his debut.

Mandella acknowledged no margin for error with a Derby prospect who has raced only twice. “On the path we’re talking (about), everything would have to be perfect, but he’s a pretty good horse.”

Skinner rallied from last to finish third by 3 3/4 lengths in the San Felipe, while earning a 94 Beyer that almost matched his 95-Beyer maiden win three weeks earlier. Trainer John Shirreffs was happy with performance, although Skinner left himself too much to do after producing no early speed.

“I was a little disappointed out of the gate that he didn’t engage right away,” Shirreffs said Sunday. “Down the backside he started picking up horses, and I thought Wow! He finished okay, maybe he flattened out a little bit at the end.”

Under the circumstances, rallying from behind over a speed-friendly track and, like others, having missed a final workout, Skinner ran well. Shirreffs said the Santa Anita Derby is next.

National Treasure, the San Felipe program favorite, scratched with a foot issue. Although his status is undetermined, the untimely setback is not serious. Third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, National Treasure would have been making his first start for Yakteen after beginning his career with Baffert. National Treasure still has time to recover from the foot issue and run in a Kentucky Derby points race. He currently has zero points.

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