Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 18, 1990 TAG: 9005180065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BALTIMORE LENGTH: Medium
"I once picked seven races in one afternoon," said Laz Barrera, who handicapped for Avance in 1942-44.
On Saturday, the 66-year-old native of Cuba will be satisfied with just picking the Preakness correctly. Barrera now trains Mister Frisky, the beaten favorite in the Kentucky Derby.
Mister Frisky will have to beat Derby winner Unbridled, Derby runner-up Summer Squall and six other 3-year-olds over 1 3/16 miles at Pimlico Race Course.
"One race doesn't make me change my mind about my horse," Barrera said of Mister Frisky's eighth-place finish in the Derby - the colt's first loss after 16 victories. "My horse is a great horse and he's going to try and he's going to give everybody a run for their money."
In the Derby, Mister Frisky, who has run on the lead in most of his races, prompted the pace and led for an instant on the final turn before fading on a tiring track over 1 1\ 4 miles.
Pimlico is a track that favors speed - and Mister Frisky.
Barrera also was pleased with the draw, which put Mister Frisky on the No. 9 post. Unbridled, a stretch runner, will start from the No. 6 spot. Summer Squall, who likes to run near the lead, will go from gate No. 7.
"We were No. 9 at Santa Anita at 1[ miles [in the Santa Anita Derby] and won," Barrera said. "My post position is beautiful to me. In that position, he [jockey Gary Stevens] can see everybody and not get shut off."
Carl Nafzger, Unbridled's trainer, said: "The race has clear speed, and anytime you have clear speed and one gets away, it's bye-bye blackbird."
Asked if he would try different tactics with his colt, Nafzger said, "That's Craig's job, not mine. [Jockey] Craig Perret will have to read this race and ride this race - and that's it."
The size of the field was reduced Thursday when Champagneforashley, a winner in five of six starts, and Pleasant Tap, who was third in the Derby, were not entered because of injuries.
Champagneforashley broke the sesamoid bone in his right-front ankle while galloping; Pleasant Tap was found to have a strained tendon sheath in his left-front leg.
Unbridled was made the 7-5 early favorite to win what will be the richest Preakness in the race's 115-year history. The purse, with nine starters, will be $686,000. The winner's share will be $445,900.
The early-line odds on Summer Squall are 2-1; Mister Frisky is 3-1.
by CNB