Now With DeVaux, Connections ‘Weighing Options’ for Skinner’s Next Start

[Wandering Eyes]

C R K Stable's Skinner (Curlin), a breakthrough winner of the GIII Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 23, could make his next start in either the GIII Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds Jan. 18 or the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25.

Previously campaigned by John Shirreffs in Southern California, the 5-year-old has posted two workouts since joining Cherie DeVaux's barn at Fair Grounds. He worked a bullet four furlongs in :47.80 (1/67) Dec. 31 and covered five furlongs in 1:02.60 (19/31) Jan. 9.

“He's worked really well,” DeVaux said. “Jose Ortiz was aboard for his last work, and was really impressed with him. He had a really nice gallop out. He looks great. We're weighing our options and discussing the Pegasus and the Louisiana. I'm still getting familiar with the horse.”

C R K Stable's 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify), also previously based with Shirreffs, was an impressive winner while making her first attempt for DeVaux in an optional claimer at Fair Grounds Jan. 2. The well-related 5-year-old mare won the 2022 Desi Arnaz Stakes and has also placed in five graded stakes races.

“He's made it known that he's moving more out of California,” DeVaux said of owner Lee Searing. “The state of racing, there's a lot more opportunity (on the East Coast). With a horse like Skinner, it's a van ride to Florida. It's a van ride to Oaklawn. There's just more opportunities this way than staying in California.”

Skinner kicked off his belated 2024 season with a very useful second sprinting in an optional claimer on the Breeders' Cup Friday undercard prior to his win in the Native Diver, his first career stakes victory. His resume also includes third-place finishes in the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity and GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby.

The $40,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $510,000 OBS April breezer is one of 64 graded/group winner worldwide for leading sire Curlin. Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, Skinner is out of 2012 GIII Rancho Bernardo H. winner Winding Way (Malibu Moon). The full-sister to MGSW & GISP Kauai Katie brought $82,000 from Solis/Litt in foal to Maclean's Music at the 2021 KEENOV sale.

Skinner is bred on the same Curlin x Malibu Moon cross responsible for champion 3-year-old filly Stellar Wind. The wildly successful Curlin x A. P. Indy (sire of Malibu Moon) pairing has produced standouts such as Malathaat, Nest, Global Campaign, Idol, et al.

#3 SKINNER ($9) under @HIBerrios runs down the leaders in the stretch and pulls away to win the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. The 4yo son of Curlin trained by John Shirreffs gets his second career win. Congrats to all the connections! pic.twitter.com/aDGvzarG4a

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 24, 2024

The post Now With DeVaux, Connections ‘Weighing Options’ for Skinner’s Next Start appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article