Kyle Brookshire watched his homebred Mr Fisk collar Judge Miller in the second turn of the April 20 Californian Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park wishing that his late father, Larry, could have experienced it with him.
"My father actually passed away a year ago Wednesday, so this is a very special day to get a win," said Brookshire, who lives in Texas. "My father started the stable six or seven years ago with Mr Fisk's mother. Mr Fisk's first stakes win was two days after my father's birthday, so this horse definitely has a flair for the dramatic."
Mr Fisk, the 7-2 second choice, turned in a dramatic rendition of the 1 1/8-mile Californian as well, trailing his three rivals while odds-on favorite Judge Miller set a moderate pace. Coming off an 11-length win in just his third start, Judge Miller carved out a first quarter-mile in :24.67 and a half-mile in :48.75, looking in complete control.
Jockey Kazushi Kimura, who had already ridden two winners on the card, asked Mr Fisk to rev up on the second turn. Mr Fisk responded to engage Judge Miller for the lead, and the two battled throughout the stretch. Mr. Fisk pulled away in the final furlong to score by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:49.41.
Brookshire races Mr Fisk in the name of Sunny Brook Stables, which bred the 4-year-old in Kentucky. Bob Baffert trains Mr Fisk and also trained his dam, the Manduro mare Plein Air. When the time came to breed her, the Brookshires on Baffert's advice went to Arrogate, Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male of 2016 also trained by Baffert.
Plein Air won the 2018 Astra Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on the Santa Anita turf.
"I think it's the only mile and a half grass race I've ever won in my life," Baffert said. "She had a lot of speed. We bred her to Arrogate, and we knew the older he gets the better he's going to get."
Larry had recently retired to Palm Springs, Calif., by the time Mr Fisk reached the races in late 2022, and Mr Fisk broke his maiden early last year before Larry died. The colt subsequently captured the 2023 Shared Belief Stakes and Native Diver Stakes (G3) at Del Mar and now has four wins in 10 starts with two seconds, and earnings of $249,700.
"Larry had the passion," Baffert said. "I remember him driving to Del Mar to watch him run."
Kyle said that Sunny Brook has about 10 horses, including three broodmares and some yearlings and 2-year-olds.
Video: Californian S. (G3)
Medoro stays undefeated in Providencia
One race after the Californian, the odds-on favorite won, 1-5 Medoro keeping her record perfect after four starts by taking the 1 1/8-mile Providencia Stakes (G3T) on the turf for 3-year-old fillies. Shiloh's Mistress led through the first six furlongs, with Medoro tracking her in second. Medoro took the lead at the top of the stretch, but Shiloh's Mistress fought back. Medoro ultimately bested her by a nose in 1:48.95.
Peter Eurton trains Medoro for Lee and Susan Searing's C R K Stable. The daughter of Honor Code out of Achira, by English Channel, began her career by winning a maiden race by a head. She added the Dec. 29 Blue Norther Stakes and March 10 China Doll Stakes, both at a mile, before tackling graded company for the first time in the Providencia. Antonio Fresu has ridden Medoro in all of her races.
"Today wasn't an easy spot because she was going a little longer and there was not much speed in the race," Fresu said. "So I was just trying to get her relaxed and get her into a nice position. She is just a good filly and she wants to win."
