“It Was a Difficult Decision”: Trainer Shakes Things Up After Getting Surprise Entry for the Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby, 2023, is around the corner, and the air in Louisville is filled with excitement. The top twenty contenders to the Kentucky Derby will run the 1 ¼ miles dirt track to become the winner of Run for the Roses. The top twenty horses were qualified after securing top points in a designated race series under Road to the Kentucky Derby. However, there is an update in the list of qualifiers post a sudden tragedy. 

Forte, the favorite horse of the Kentucky Derby, 2023 stands at the top position with 190 points. And now Skinner, the horse with 21st rank, has earned an entry into the race after the tragic death of Wild on Ice at Churchill Downs. The thoroughbred now ranks 19 on the leaderboard for race.

Skinner gets a new jockey for the 149th Kentucky Derby

Skinner, a colt, was fortunate to be inducted into the Derby at the last moment. The C R K Stable-owned thoroughbred has participated in GI Santa Anita Derby and secured third place after being defeated by Practical Move with a half-length distance. Victor Espinoza was the jockey who rode Skinner in the race.

The new participant of the May 6th race will get a new jockey, Juan Hernandez, who will replace Espinoza. Speaking about the decision, the horse trainer John Shireffs opened up, “We thought a change would maybe shake things up a little bit.” Looking on the positive side, he opined, “Maybe Skinner was used to the way Victor was riding him. It might help to have a different rider.“

Read More: Watch: Kentucky Derby Favorite Forte Makes a Grand Entry as He Arrives at Churchill Downs for the Big Day

The decision was favored by the horse connections Lee and Susan Searing. “It was a difficult decision, but it was something Mr. Searing thought he would like to try,” the trainer said. The new jockey will work with Skinner at Santa Anita before being brought to Kentucky for the upcoming race.

Skinner’s old jockey versus new jockey

Espinoza, an experienced 51-year-old jockey, had associated with Skinner five times. The star jockey has registered himself as a three-time winner at the Kentucky Derby apart from achieving the Triple Crown by mounting American Pharoah back in 2015. However, 2023 hasn’t favored him any luck.

Hernandez, on the other hand, will ride the dirt track with Skinner at Churchill Downs for the first time. The 31-year-old jockey mastered Santa Anita’s Classic Meet while riding 63 winners apart from winning the Jockey’s title while participating in the Santa Anita Winter-Spring Meet last year. So, hopes are high for the connections of Skinner as it will get ready to compete in ‘The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.’ Do you think Skinner will succeed at the Derby?

Watch the story here: Ahead of King Charles’ coronation, Equestrian granddaughter of Late Queen Elizabeth II all set to compete at Kentucky event