Reincarnate, Skinner battle for first time in Los Alamitos Derby
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Two months after they were thwarted by circumstances at the Kentucky Derby, two of the top colts in California start over Saturday at Los Alamitos.
Reincarnate and Skinner, Derby pace casualty and Derby scratch, meet for the first time in the $125,000 Los Alamitos Derby, a nine-furlong race dominated by one particular stable. While the feud between Churchill Downs and Bob Baffert lingers, Los Alamitos is a virtual red carpet.
Baffert rarely misses in the Los Alamitos Derby. He has won the last six runnings and seven straight in which he has had a runner. Reincarnate, Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed, may extend the streak Saturday. Compromised by a fast pace finishing 13th in the Kentucky Derby, Reincarnate could be loose on the lead.
Skinner will make his first start since a wide-trip third in the Santa Anita Derby three months ago. John Shirreffs trains the late-runner, who shipped to Churchill Downs in peak form with a running style that would have been flattered by the Derby pace. He did not get a chance.
Skinner scratched from the Derby when reported to be sick. He also scratched from the Affirmed Stakes on June 4 at Santa Anita, when he did not jog well. Notwithstanding the layoff, Shirreffs believes Skinner can return in top form.
“Mike Smith worked him the last three times, each work he’s said the horse has gotten better and better as far as conditioning is concerned,” Shirreff said. “Obviously, it’s been a long time since he’s run. We need to get a race into him.”
Four others entered the Los Alamitos Derby. They include Northern California-based stakes winner Prince Abu Dhabi, allowance-caliber Abeliefinthislivin, maiden Yellow Brick, and Shirreffs-trained debut winner Smart Mo. As of Thursday, Shirreffs planned to start both Skinner and Smart Mo.
The race centers on pacesetter Reincarnate, who in January at Santa Anita defeated subsequent graded stakes winner Newgate and Preakness winner National Treasure in a Grade 3. Reincarnate then switched trainers to Tim Yakteen because Churchill Downs disallowed Baffert trainees from its races and from earning Kentucky Derby points. Early this week, the ban was extended through 2024.
Reincarnate made three starts for Yakteen, and nothing went right. He broke slowly and finished third in a Grade 2 at Oaklawn, then was compromised by pace when third in the Arkansas Derby prior to Kentucky. Reincarnate since rejoined the Baffert stable and worked well.
Beyond a pace advantage, Reincarnate is familiar with Los Alamitos, having trained over the track prior to his debut last summer. Skinner has not raced nor worked over the track.
“You’re at a little bit of a disadvantage,” Shirreffs acknowledged.
Prince Abu Dhabi, 4-for-5 winner of the California Derby at Golden Gate, arrived from Northern California early Wednesday. He has never raced on dirt, but trainer Blaine Wright said the gelding always trained well on dirt.
“The question remains, can he run with the SoCal boys?” Wright pondered. “If he fits, we’ll look at Del Mar. If he doesn’t, we’ll probably take a look at Emerald Downs.”
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