Mister Frisky ‘100%’ After an Ankle Scare

Trainer Laz Barrera said that Mister Frisky, one of the favorites in next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, was “100%” after the undefeated colt developed some heat in his left front ankle Friday morning.

Precautionary X-rays were taken of the ankle late Friday morning and came back negative.

“There was no filling (swelling) in the ankle,” Barrera said. “The heat was on the side of the ankle. It could have been a chemical reaction to some alcohol that was rubbed on the ankle. The X-rays were good and the horse is 100%.”

Alcohol is frequently rubbed on horses’ legs as a tightener and freshener.

Albert Barrera, the trainer’s son who is helping with Mister Frisky’s Derby preparations at Churchill Downs, hosed the colt’s legs Friday morning. Mister Frisky later jogged around the track.

Mister Frisky, whose victory in the Santa Anita Derby was his 16th in a row, has the longest winning streak of any horse going into the Derby. Mister Frisky or Summer Squall, who has won seven of eight, will be favored next Saturday.

Mister Frisky had been scheduled for a five-furlong workout Sunday or Monday, but Barrera said Friday that the colt wouldn’t be worked out until Tuesday. He said the reason for the delay is that Gary Stevens won’t arrive here from California until Monday night. Stevens will be riding Mister Frisky in the Derby.