Skinner gains Kentucky Derby berth; Juan Hernandez gets mount

Skinner, third in the Santa Anita Derby on April 8, gained a berth in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 after Wild On Ice sustained a fatal injury during training early Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Skinner will have a new rider in Juan Hernandez, who replaces Victor Espinoza.

"We thought a change would maybe shake things up a little bit," trainer John Shirreffs said Thursday. "Maybe Skinner was used to the way Victor was riding him. It might help to have a different rider."

Hernandez, the leading rider at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, has never ridden Skinner, who is owned by Lee and Susan Searing’s CRK Stable.

"It was a difficult decision, but it was something Mr. Searing thought he would like to try," Shirreffs said.

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Hernandez is scheduled to work Skinner on Saturday at Santa Anita. Skinner is scheduled to be flown to Kentucky on Sunday, Shirreffs said.

Espinoza has won the Kentucky Derby three times, most recently with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in 2015. Hernandez has never ridden at Churchill Downs.

Espinoza had ridden Skinner in five of his six starts, including the colt’s three races this year. Skinner beat maidens in his fourth career start, and 2023 debut, in a maiden race on Feb. 12 and was later third in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 4 in advance of the Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.

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In the Santa Anita Derby, Skinner closed from seventh in a field of eight to finish a half-length behind Kentucky Derby contender Practical Move.

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