Mr Fisk goes a little longer in Native Diver Stakes

The stakes-winning 3-year-old Mr Fisk will start in the longest race of his career in Sunday’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar.

From trainer Bob Baffert’s perspective, the $100,000 Native Diver is a prologue for even longer races for Mr Fisk during the 2024 season.

“I think that’s going to be his game,” Baffert said. “I think it will be a good distance for him.”

Mr Fisk is one of three 3-year-olds in a field of seven in the Native Diver Stakes, the eighth race on a nine-race program that begins at 12:30 p.m. Pacific.

The field includes Skinner, who was third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in April; Newgrange, who was third in the 2022 Native Diver and won the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita in January; and Kiss Today Goodbye, who is winless in 13 starts since the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita in December 2020.

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They are all likely to be chasing Arrowthegreat, a 3-year-old who has won his last two starts at a mile – a maiden race at Del Mar in September and an allowance race at Santa Anita last month.

Arrowthegreat also is entered for the Zia Park Derby in New Mexico on Tuesday. Trainer Dan Blacker said Friday that he and his clients were discussing race options.

Mr Fisk, who races for owner and breeder Sunny Brook Farms, finished first in a dead heat with stablemate Tahoe Sunrise in the Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on Sept. 3 at Del Mar in his most recent start. The pair were eight lengths clear at the finish.

Baffert said Mr Fisk was not considered for a Breeders’ Cup race at Santa Anita earlier this month to focus on preparations for a 2024 campaign.

“He’s improving and maturing and growing up,” Baffert said. “He’s changed physically. We’ve taken our time with him.”

Skinner finished fifth in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on Sept. 30 at Santa Anita. Only a maiden race winner after nine starts, Skinner had his best performance in the Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles, finishing a half-length behind Practical Move.

Newgrange was third behind Practical Move in an allowance race on Oct. 6 at Santa Anita in his first start since a seventh in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap last March. Sadly, Practical Move died of a suspected cardiac event while being exercised Oct. 31 at Santa Anita in advance of a scheduled start in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

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Newgrange, who tends to race near the front, won at 1 1/8 miles in the San Pasqual. In the allowance race last month, Newgrange set a quick pace – including a half-mile in 44.92 seconds – before fading to lose by 4 3/4 lengths.

“He got the rust off in his first race” back, trainer Phil D’Amato said. “Those were some pretty serious fractions. I don’t think any real horse can go that quick and win a race like that.”

Newgrange was rested after the Big Cap, a layoff that was longer than expected after a bout with colic that required a trip to a veterinary clinic, D’Amato said.

“We gave him extra time at the farm,” D’Amato said. “Instead of a 30- or 45-day turnout, it was a 90-day turnout.”

While Newgrange is quick enough to lead, D’Amato envisions a scenario in which jockey Edwin Maldonado stalks Arrowthegreat. Newgrange starts from post 5, while Arrowthegreat has drawn post 2.

“It gives Edwin options,” D’Amato said. “He won the San Pasqual by stalking.

“We got a nice post on Sunday and he’s been training very well here. I’m expecting a good performance.”

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