Skinner © Benoit Photo
C R K Stable’s Skinner tracked the leaders through the first eight of the nine furlongs of the Native Diver Stakes Saturday at Del Mar, then set sail for home under Hector I. Berrios and outdid two rivals in the lane to come away a one-length victor in the 47th running of the Grade III hundred grander.
The 4-year-old bay colt by top sire Curlin covered the distance on the seaside main track in 1:48.95 and paid his backers $9.00 for each $2 bet. John Shirreffs conditions the winner.
Finishing second in the feature was Bernsen and Rockingham Ranch’s pacesetter Tarantino, who had a head on Calumet Farm’s Mixto.
Skinner picked up a check for $60,000 for his handiwork Saturday and increased his bankroll to $377,300. He’s only won two races in 12 starts in his career, but has been stakes-placed on five occasions, including a second in this same race last year.
Racing resumes at Del Mar on Sunday with first post scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
HECTOR I. BERRIOS (Skinner, winner) – “The last time I worked the horse, I felt very very good. I noticed a different horse (today). Last time, I needed to know him , but now that I know the horse, I follow him a little far. I asked him to move and he respond. I liked it today; I tried to weigh (my options) in the middle (of the race). He moved in the straight and he responded. I noticed, when we got to the front, he was looking around a little, he was watching the other horses. But he is much better; maybe he finally is more comfortable.”
JOHN SHIRREFFS (Skinner, winner) – “When you looked at the PP’s there was a lot of speed in the race. Hector (Berrios) did a great job. He didn’t let them drop back too far. He hustled a little out of the gate then he got a nice position and he waited. He crept up then he went to riding him.”
The stakes win was the first of the meet for rider Berrios and his first in the Native Diver. He now has 18 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Shirreffs, but his second in the Native Diver (Midcourt, 2019). He now has 22 stakes wins at Del Mar.
The winning owner CR K Stable is the nom du course for Lee and Susan Searing of Arcadia, CA.