Mister Frisky Leads Rafael Field

Solymar Stable’s unbeaten Mister Frisky will put his 14-race winning streak on the line Saturday in the $142,800 San Rafael Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. The Grade II test at one mile serves as a steppingstone to the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

The Santa Anita Derby is one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby, and handicappers will have a sharp eye on Mister Frisky.

Mister Frisky, Puerto Rico’s Horse of the Year in 1989, drew post nine in a 12-horse field. The Florida-bred son of Marsayas made an auspicious United States debut at Santa Anita on Feb. 10, capturing the seven-furlong San Vicente Breeders’ Cup Stakes.

The burnt copper colt won 13 starts in Puerto Rico, breaking track records at six and seven furlongs at El Commandante Race Track in the process. He was sent to California in mid-January and transferred to Hall of Fame trainer Laz Barrera.

Mister Frisky will be ridden by Gary Stevens, seeking a third straight San Rafael victory. He won aboard What a Diplomat in 1988 and Music Merci last year.

The San Rafael lineup, from the rail out: Balla Cove, Laffit Pincay, Jr., 118 pounds; Kept His Cool, Alex Solis, 115; Tarascon, Chris McCarron, 118; Individualist, Robbie Davis, 115; Land Rush, Angel Cordero, Jr., 115; Drag Race, Frank Olivares, 121; Iam The Iceman, David Flores, 115; Express It, Eddie Delahoussaye, 118; Mister Frisky, Stevens, 115; Tight Spot, Corey Black, 115; Future Career, Patrick Valenzuela, 115, and Testtube Tommy, Russell Baze, 115.

Individualist and Future Career will race coupled as a Golden Eagle Farm entry. The winner will receive $86,550.

Mister Frisky will face the sternest test of his career. Leading competition is expected from Individualist, winner of the Hollywood Prevue Stakes and runner-up in the El Camino Real Derby; Balla Cove and Land Rush, who finished in a dead heat in the Los Feliz Stakes; Drag Race, winner of the Grade I Del Mar Futurity; Tarascon, winner of the San Miguel and California Breeders’ Champion Stakes, and Tight Spot, winner of the El Cerrito Handicap.

The San Rafael, to be run for the 10th time, has been won by such stars as Precisionist, Desert Wine, Johnlee ‘n Harold, Prince Spellbound, Variety Road, Masterful Advocate, Music Merci.