Mr Fisk shows he can handle distance with Native Diver victory

DEL MAR, Calif. - As Mr Fisk crossed the finish line clear of six rivals in Sunday’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar, jockey Juan Hernandez accented the win with a fist pump.

For Hernandez, the win not only confirmed that Mr Fisk can handle the race distance of 1 1/8 miles, but offered clues that the 3-year-old colt could play an important role in longer races in 2024.

“He’s been trying to tell us he wants the distance,” Hernandez said. “Maybe he can be a good horse.”

Mr Fisk won his first graded stakes in the $101,000 Native Diver in his first start at 1 1/8 miles. Closing from fourth in a field of seven, Mr Fisk passed stretch leader Newgrange in the final furlong to win by 1 1/4 lengths over 11-10 favorite Skinner.

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Mr Fisk ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.69 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 90.

“It looks like he loved it,” Hernandez said.

“He always shows up for me. I was hoping he’d run a big race.”

Mr Fisk ($8.40) was the second choice behind Skinner. Mr Fisk and Skinner were fourth and last on the backstretch, while racing wide. They raced in pursuit of pacesetter Arrowthegreat, who set fractions of 23.76 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.60 for a half-mile.

Mr Fisk advanced to third on the turn and engaged Newgrange in early stretch.

Skinner closed from fourth on the turn to be closest to the front at the finish under jockey Mike Smith.

“The pace wasn’t the fastest,” said John Shirreffs, who trains Skinner.

Arrowthegreat finished fourth, followed by Kiss Today Goodbye, Celestial Moon and Visitant.

Mr Fisk won his second consecutive stakes in the Native Diver, his first start since he finished in a dead heat for first with Tahoe Sunrise in the Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on dirt at Del Mar on Sept. 3.

Mr Fisk and Tahoe Sunrise are trained by Bob Baffert. Tahoe Sunrise won an allowance race at Del Mar on Saturday.

A colt by Arrogate, Mr Fisk races for owner and breeder Sunny Brook Stables. Mr Fisk has won 3 of 8 starts and earned $185,700.

Hernandez has ridden Mr Fisk to all three of his wins as well as a second in the Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in June.

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