“Improving” Mr Fisk takes Native Diver S. (G3)

Mr Fisk earned his first graded stakes win in Sunday’s Native Diver S. (G3) at Del Mar in the 3-year-old’s first start against older horses.

A son of Baffert’s brilliant Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Arrogate, Mr Fisk collected his first stakes win with an eight-length victory in the Sept. 3 Shared Belief S., also at Del Mar.

Getting a stalking trip under Juan Hernandez, Mr Fisk made his move for the lead with three furlongs to run. He entered the stretch in a three-way battle for the lead and finally shook clear of Skinner in the final sixteenth to win going away by 1 ½-lengths.

“This horse has really improved since this summer,” Baffert said. “He’s a horse we knew would be late coming around. But he’s changed so much since August. I was a little bit worried about the pace. It was a bit slow, but Juan realized they were going too slow and he made his move. He’s still a little green, learning how to run, but he has a bright future.”

A Sunny Brook Stables LLC homebred, the Native Diver win improved Mr Fisk’s record to 3-2-0 in eight starts and earnings to $185,700.