Anisette parlayed a victory in last year’s Del Mar Oaks (G1) into bigger and better things.
The Del Mar Oaks was the first of three Grade 1 victories for the talented 4-year-old filly. Her other top-level victories include the American Oaks and the Gamely Stakes.
Iscreamuscream. Benoit Photo
Can any filly in Saturday’s Oaks follow in Anisette’s hoofprints?
She returned to Del Mar last weekend to capture the Yellow Ribbon (G2), cementing her reputation as a leading distaff turf runner.
The latest renewal of the Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies on the grass arrives Saturday and with it comes the question….
Iscreamuscream is the most logical one to assume that role. She is unbeaten in three races, including a front-running victory on opening day at Del Mar in the San Clemente Handicap (G2).
She has shown versatility in her limited career, posting stalking victories in the first two races before demonstrating determination and heart in the San Clemente, her stakes debut.
She will be joined by Circle of Trust and Zona Verde to give trainer Phil D’Amato three of the eight runners in the 1 1/8-mile stakes.
From the rail, Iscreamuscream and jockey Hector Berrios will be involved right from the break. They can dictate the pace or settle into a stalking trip.
The major concern for backers of Iscreamuscream, who figures to be a solid favorite, is the distance.
After posting a pair of wins at 6 furlongs, Iscreamuscream successfully stretched out to a mile for the San Clemente.
Now she must navigate an additional furlong in the Del Mar Oaks. If that added distance proves problematic, the door opens wide for a challenger who has journeyed a long way.
Maryland-based Whiskey Decision comes west
Iscreamuscream isn’t the only filly in the field riding a three-race winning streak.
After running fourth in her debut, Whiskey Decision hasn’t missed a beat for trainer Arnaud Delacour. Her latest effort was a 2 ¾-length score in the Christiana Stakes at Delaware Park as the 1-5 favorite. The distance was 1 1/8 miles, the same as the Del Mar Oaks. She can handle 9 furlongs. Can we say the same of Iscreamuscream?
Schools across the country will soon be back in session. For Iscreamuscream, a very important exam arrives Saturday at her home track.
Post time is 8:32 p.m. ET
For those who bet horse racing …
The picks: 1 Iscreamuscream 2 Whiskey Decision 3 Sea Dancer
The field for the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
1 Iscreamuscream (Hector Berrios, Phil D’Amato), 8-5
2 Circle of Trust) (Reylu Gutirrez, Phil D’Amato), 6-1
3 Whiskey Decision (Umberto Rispoli, Arnaud Delacour), 5-2
4 Zona Verde (Juan Hernandez, Phil D’Amato), 8-1
5 Buchu (Martin Garcia, Philip Bauer), 12-1
6 Medoro (Antonio Fresu, Peter Eurton), 5-1
7 Sakura Blossom (Armando Ayuso, Leonard Powell), 20-1
8 Sea Dancer (Diego Herrera, Tim Yakteen), 20-1