Santa Anita: Skinner is scratched from Affirmed after gallop

Skinner, who was scratched from the Kentucky Derby four weeks ago, has also been scratched from Sunday’s Affirmed Stakes.

Trainer John Shirreffs made the decision to withdraw following a gallop on the main track Saturday morning. He notified the Santa Anita racing office of the scratch at about 12:30 p.m. EDT.

“I just wasn’t happy with the way he jogged,” Shirreffs said from Clocker’s Corner.

Skinner was the 9-5 second choice on the morning line behind Geaux Rocket ride, the 8-5 favorite trainer Richard Mandella. Hall of Famer Mike Smith was set to ride Skinner for the first time.

Skinner has not raced since a third-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 8. The Curlin colt was scratched from the Kentucky Derby two days before the 1 1/4-mile classic due to an elevated temperature.

Following the illness and return trip to Santa Anita, Skinner was back on the work tab May 14, seven days after the Kentucky Derby. He had worked three times for the Affirmed, including a five-furlong move in 1:02.20 on Sunday.

Owned by C R K Stable, Skinner was Grade 1-placed as a 2-year-old while still a maiden. He earned his diploma here in his sophomore bow Feb. 12 and came back to be third in the San Felipe (G2) on March 4 prior to the Santa Anita Derby.

Skinner’s withdrawal from the Affirmed leaves a compact field of five set to go postward.

2023 Affirmed LS