Mister Frisky Breaks Poorly, Is Third in Comeback : Horse racing: But his trainer and jockey are encouraged by effort of ’90 Santa Anita Derby winner.

Even though Mister Frisky lost for the first time in four California starts and was beaten for the first time in a sprint after 12 victories, those closest to him weren’t disappointed here Friday.

Making his first start in more than 14 months after almost dying last year, the 4-year-old Marsayas colt finished third, beaten by six lengths, as the 6-5 favorite.

Burn Annie won the $50,000 allowance race, beating Deposit Ticket by a head in 1:08 2/5 for his 11th victory in 18 races. The time was the fastest of the meeting for six furlongs.

After breaking awkwardly, Mister Frisky moved closer to the leaders down the backstretch, but Deposit Ticket and Burn Annie pulled away from him and the other three horses in the final quarter-mile.

“He ran well,” trainer Joe Garcia said. “He was kind of scrambling coming out of the gate. They ran fast. He finished well down the stretch. I’m happy.

“He’d been away a long time and these are some well-conditioned horses. He’ll get the job done next time. He’ll be a little more settled. I’ll go take a look at him now and in the morning and then we’ll go from there. He’s back. He’ll be all right.”

Gary Stevens, who has ridden Mister Frisky in all of his American races, also was encouraged.

“He broke real sharp and the ground kept breaking away from him,” Stevens said. “The first 100 yards away from there, he was scrambling. I had a feeling that was going to happen because he kind of overloaded his circuits going to the gate. He about climbed over the (lead) pony.

“Once he got his feet under him, he leveled off and went right up behind the leaders on his own. Then, they just started to run away from him and I knew they were running way too fast for us today.”

For a time, it appeared that Mister Frisky might finish fourth, but he was able to beat Honkytonk Blaze, the longest shot in the field at 19-1, by a half-length.

“I swung him out to stay clear of the dirt and he had a horse run up next to him in the stretch,” Stevens said. “He showed me a lot of his old courage there and out-finished him for third. He galloped out strong with me and the race did him some good.

“I told Joe we’re not aiming for six furlongs the rest of the year, we’re looking at the two-turn races. This race took the edge off him and the next time he goes, he’ll be a whole lot better.”

Although Garcia hasn’t been specific about Mister Frisky’s next start, a possibility is the $250,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 25 in Seattle.

After winning the Santa Anita Derby last year, the undefeated Mister Frisky was the favorite at the Kentucky Derby. But he finished eighth, 20 lengths behind winner Unbridled. He was third in the Preakness and his throat problem was discovered soon thereafter.

Del Mar Notes

Burn Annie was ridden by Corey Nakatani, who has won seven of the meeting’s nine eighth races. . . . There was a minus show pool in the feature of $1,014.76. . . . The hottest trainer here is R.B. Hess Jr. The Spymaster’s victory in the ninth race was Hess’ fifth from 16 starters and he also had two seconds--Silky Prospect and Stan’s Boy--Friday.