ARCADIA, Calif. – The rebranded spring portion of Santa Anita’s six-month racing season begins Friday with a new moniker – the “Hollywood Meet.” Stars, however, are leaving town.

Local graded winners expected to skip Santa Anita stakes this weekend include Big Cap winner Stilleto Boy, dirt sprinter Spirit of Makena, and turf sprinter Motorious. All will chase richer purses elsewhere, including the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap, a Grade 2 on Saturday at Oaklawn Park that lured Stilleto Boy away from the Grade 2, $200,000 Californian on Saturday at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Skinner bounced out of his Santa Anita Derby third-place finish in such good shape he has already returned to work. Just nine days after missing by a half-length in the Santa Anita Derby, Skinner worked a half-mile Monday to stay on target for the Kentucky Derby.

Only one problem. As of Wednesday morning, Skinner ranked 22nd on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 45 points. He needs two defections to make the field. For trainer John Shirreffs, who won the 2005 Derby with Giacomo, it is déjà vu all over again.

The huge purses at the boutique Kentucky Downs meet got even bigger this week when officials at the turf-only track in south-central Kentucky announced that the newly named Mint Millions will be a $2 million race during the seven-day meet, which runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 13.

The enhanced purse makes it the richest grass race in North America besides the Breeders’ Cup.

Forte, the clear-cut favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, has settled into a daily routine at Churchill Downs after arriving before dawn Monday following the long overnight van ride from trainer Todd Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida. The Florida Derby winner was sent through easy gallops Tuesday and Wednesday morning and was scheduled to be sent through his first Churchill workout Thursday or Friday, depending on weather.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mike Maker has become renowned for his work with older horses such as Red Knight, the 9-year-old gelding who figures among the top contenders Saturday at Keeneland in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes.

“These older horses, they’re just like us,” Maker said with a laugh. “We don’t think we’re that old, do we? Man, I’m just 20.”

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Steve Asmussen does not need to use radar to get a read on Speedometer.

“She’s fast,” he said.

Speedometer will see action in Friday’s eighth race at Oaklawn Park. The two-other-than allowance is for fillies and mares over six furlongs. The field of nine includes I’m the Boss of Me, who comes off a third-place finish in the $250,000 Matron last month at Oaklawn, and recent allowance winners Dealing Justice and Hypersport.

WHO’S HOT

Disarm finished third with a 90 Beyer in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. The performance was not remarkable, but it was good enough. The Louisiana Derby runner-up needed a third-place finish or higher in the Lexington to earn at least six points and make the Derby field with 46 points or more. Mission accomplished. Disarm makes the cut, as trainer Steve Asmussen seeks his first Kentucky Derby victory with his 25th Derby starter. Disarm is 30-1 by Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona.

WHO’S NOT

Kingsbarns

Uncle Mo – Lady Tapit, by Tapit

Bred in Kentucky by Parks Investment Group ($250,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase by Tom McCrocklin; $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream 2-year-old purchase by Spendthrift Farm)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Talk about a key race. Interstatedaydream was returning from a lengthy layoff when third last month behind Secret Oath and Clairiere, who last Saturday reaffirmed themselves as two of the best filly-mare dirt runners on the continent in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.

There is life after the Kentucky Derby. Whoever wears the roses in less than three weeks at Churchill Downs will have new foes awaiting them in Baltimore, as the field for the May 20 Preakness Stakes is already beginning to take shape, with some late bloomers and those who may miss the Derby for various reasons already targeting the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.