Reincarnate was named after Holy Bull, a Hall of Famer who was the 1994 Horse of the Year. But after losing his first three starts, it seemed Reincarnate was “over-named.” Tom Ryan, racing manager for the colt’s ownership group, was asked if his faith ever wavered. “Not really, I’ve always had confidence in him,” Ryan said. “He’s a big, stretchy horse that [Bob Baffert] was developing.” Ryan was not concerned when Baffert started the colt’s career in two turf routes. “Sometimes you have to use those spots to get where you want to get to,” Ryan said. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Reincarnate is getting there. He won a maiden race in his fourth start, then scored a highly rated, fast-paced victory in the Grade 3 Sham Stakes on Jan. 8 at Santa Anita. He is among the leading contenders Saturday in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park for new listed trainer Tim Yakteen. The trainer switch makes Reincarnate eligible for Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Churchill Downs currently bans Baffert trainees from the track, and from earning Derby points. The colt’s name is based on pedigree, looks, and a famous gray that captured the imagination of one Gavin Murphy. Murphy manages SF Racing, co-owner of Reincarnate. Murphy became a fan of Holy Bull in 1994, when he won four Grade 1s. The second dam of Reincarnate is by Holy Bull. Ryan said Reincarnate “looks just like Holy Bull.” It was Murphy’s idea to name him Reincarnate, as in “Holy Bull reincarnated.” The blaze-faced, speckled gray Reincarnate will be among the most recognizable runners in the Rebel. If he runs like he has trained at Santa Anita, perhaps Reincarnate will emerge as one of the most recognizable Derby prospects in the country. Skinner between preps Skinner, the Grade 1-placed colt who scored a smashing comeback maiden win Feb. 12 at Santa Anita, will stay home for his next start. But which race? The Grade 2 San Felipe is March 4, only three weeks after his comeback. But if he waits for the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, it would be eight weeks between starts and Skinner would require a one-two finish for sufficient qualifying points to insure a Kentucky Derby berth. “We’ll have to wait and see if he can make the San Felipe,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “That would be perfect.” Skinner has resumed training, schooled at the gate since he raced, and could breeze this week pending weather and track condition. “We’re trying to touch as many bases as we can, and see where we’re at,” Shirreffs said. Nominations were to close this week for the San Felipe. Potential starters include romping debut sprint winner Geaux Rocket Ride, Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity winner Practical Move, El Camino Real Derby winner Chase the Chaos, and National Treasure. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.