PREAKNESS : Mister Frisky Takes to Track at Pimlico

Mister Frisky, the Kentucky Derby favorite who finished eighth at Churchill Downs, worked at Pimlico for the first time Sunday in preparation for the Preakness Stakes.

“The track seemed to be to his liking,” jockey Gary Stevens said. “He was the old Mister Frisky today.”

Mister Frisky worked five furlongs in 59 2/5 seconds and breezed six furlongs in 1:13 3/5. In his final workout before the Derby, the colt went five furlongs in 1:01 4/5.

“It was a good work,” said Albert Barrera, assistant to his father Laz, who trains Mister Frisky. “I’m sure my father will be pleased. That’s what he told Gary he wanted him to do. I’m sure as soon as he gets back he’ll go right to Laz.”

Mister Frisky won his first 16 races, including the Santa Anita Derby, before his loss in the Kentucky Derby. Stevens, who has ridden Mister Frisky in his four mainland starts since the colt arrived from Puerto Rico, was in Baltimore during the weekend to ride Ruhlmann in the Pimlico Special.

He left after Sunday’s workout, and plans to return Friday, a day before the Preakness. Laz Barrera is due in Baltimore today.

“The Derby was a good prep for him, at least that’s what it seems it was,” said Stevens, who finished second aboard Ruhlmann to Criminal Type in the Pimlico Special. “He didn’t handle the track in his workout at Churchill Downs. I was happy with the track early in the day, but by the time of the race it was the same as it had been earlier in the week. But good horses should overcome those things.”

Music Prospector, who has not run since finishing second in the April 21 California Derby, also worked Sunday, going a mile in 1:40.

D. Wayne Lukas planned to work his two Preakness colts--Land Rush and Kentucky Jazz--today. Summer Squall, runner-up in the Derby, arrived Saturday and was expected to work Tuesday.

Derby winner Unbridled is still in Kentucky, and is not expected to be shipped to Pimlico until Wednesday.