Mr Fisk Bests Skinner in Native Diver

Mr Fisk  put himself on the map as a horse to watch in next year’s older male division with a game win over Skinner  in the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 26 at Del Mar.

Making his first start against older horses, Mr Fisk’s workmanlike victory secured a 1-2 finish for 3-year-olds in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver. The son of Arrogate, a “late bloomer” according to trainer Bob Baffert, was exiting a dead heat score in the Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds Sept. 3.

Mr Fisk, dk b/br, 3/c Arrogate — Plein Air (IRE), by Manduro (GER)

Owner: Sunny Brook Stables Breeder: Sunny Brook Stables (KY) Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez Information provided by Equibase at time of entry.

Away in good order, Mr Fisk perched three-wide down the backstretch in fourth as Arrowthegreat  set a controlled opening tempo of :23.76 and:48.60. Past the half-mile pole, the race dynamic suddenly changed, as Skinner made a bold early move that carried him from last to fourth. Skinner’s bid prompted Mr Fisk and the colt chased after new race leader Newgrange  as the field turned for home.

Mr Fisk rolled past Newgrange in mid-stretch and kicked clear by 1 1/4 lengths.

Piloted by Juan Hernandez, Mr Fisk ($8.40) hit the wire in a final time of 1:49.69 on a fast main track.

Skinner closed gallantly but couldn’t catch the winner. He was second by 2 1/2 lengths over Newgrange in third.

A homebred for Sunny Brook Stables, Mr Fisk was produced from the Manduro mare Plein Air , who Baffert trained to a victory in the 2018 Astra Stakes.

Video: Native Diver S. (G3)