Kyle Brookshire keeps track of his hybrid Mr. Fisk collar Judge Miller in the second round of the April 20 Californian Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Wishing his late father, Larry, could experience that with him.
“My dad actually passed away a year ago Wednesday, so this is a very special day to win,” said Brookshire, who lives in Texas. “My father started running the stable six or seven years ago with Mr. Fisk’s mother. Mr. Fisk’s first winning bet came two days after my father’s birthday, so this horse definitely has dramatic potential.”
Mr Fisk, second choice at 7-2, also produced a dramatic performance over the 1 1/8 mile Californian, keeping close to his three rivals while Judge Miller was favored Most prefer to set a moderate speed. Winning by 11 lengths in just his third start, Judge Miller covered the first quarter-mile in :24.67 and the half-mile in :48.75, looking completely in control.
Jockey Kazushi Kimura, who has ridden two winners on the card, asked Mr. Fisk to speed up in the second turn. Mr. Fisk responded by engaging Judge Miller for the lead, and the two battled throughout. Mr. Fisk pulled away in the final to score by 2 1/4 in 1:49.41.
Brookshire races Mr Fisk under the name Sunny Brook Stables, which bred the 4-year-old in Kentucky. Bob Baffert trained Mr. Fisk and also trained his dam, Manduro mare Plein Air . When it came time to breed her, the Brookshires, following Baffert’s advice, arrived Superior the 2016 3-year-old male champion was also trained by Baffert.
Plein Air won the 2018 Astra Stakes at Santa Anita over 1.5 miles on turf.
“I think this is the only mile-and-a-half grass race I’ve ever won in my life,” Baffert said. “She’s got a lot of speed. We bred her to Arrogate, and we know that the older he gets, the better he gets.”
Larry had recently retired to Palm Springs by the time Mr. Fisk entered the race in late 2022, and Mr. Fisk broke his maiden early last year before Larry passed away. The colt then won the 2023 General Confidence Stakes and Native Divers Stakes (G3) at Del Mar and now has four wins in 10 starts with two seconds and earnings of $249,700.
“Larry has passion,” Baffert said. “I remember him driving to Del Mar to watch him run.”
Kyle said Sunny Brook has about 10 horses, including three broodmares and several 1-year-old and 2-year-old fillies.
Mr. Fiskdk b/br, 4/c
Arrogance — Plein Air (IRE), by Manduro (GER)
Owner: Sunny Brook Stables, LLC
Breeder: Sunny Brook Stables (KY)
coach: Bob Baffert
Race: Kazushi Kimura
Information provided by Balance at the time of entry.
Videotapes: California S. (G3)
Medoro is undefeated in Providencia
One race behind the Californian, the favorites won, 1-5 Medoro kept his record perfect after four starts by taking the 1 1/8-mile Providencia Stakes (G3T) over a field of 3-year-old fillies. Shiloh’s mistress led for the first six stages, with Medoro following her in second place. Medoro took the lead at the end, but Shiloh’s Mistress fought back. Medoro eventually beat her in 1:48.95.
Peter Eurton trains Medoro for Lee and Susan Searling’s CRK Stable. Daughter of Honor code —achira via English channel , began his career by winning his first race by a landslide. She added the Blue Norther Stakes on December 29 and the China Doll Stakes on March 10, both within a mile of each other, before settling the rated company for the first time in Providencia. Antonio Fresu rode Medoro in all her races.
“Today was not an easy race because she had to go a little longer and the pace in the race was not much,” Fresu said. “So I just tried to get her comfortable and put her in a good position. She’s just a good girl and she wants to win.”
Medorob, 3/f
Honor code – Achira, by the English Channel
Owner: CRK Stable LLC
Breeder: Park Investment Group, LLC (KY)
coach: Peter Eurton
Race: Antonio Fresu
Information provided by Balance at the time of entry.
Videotapes: Providencia S. (G3T)
