With jockey Hector Berrios orchestrating a tactical masterclass, Iscreamuscream extended her record to a perfect 4-for-4 in Saturday’s $301,500 Del Mar Oaks (G1).
The Phil D’Amato trainee confirmed the form of her San Clemente H. (G2) victory, although in a different manner. Iscreamuscream wired that July 20 prep at Del Mar, but in the Oaks, Berrios executed a clever maneuver to go from pacesetter to stalker.
Breaking alertly from her rail post, Iscreamuscream found herself in front through an opening quarter in :24.20. Whiskey Decision, who was bet down to 1.30-1 favoritism, was pulling on Umberto Rispoli as she tracked in an impatient second.
Berrios was able to hold Iscreamuscream to a leisurely pace entering the backstretch, and that baited Whiskey Decision into an early move. Rispoli let the favorite go, and she took over at the half in :48.10. Whiskey Decision expended more energy to scamper clear through six furlongs in 1:11.56.
Iscreamuscream played it cool to sit in second under a chilly Berrios. Angling off the rail to take aim at Whiskey Decision on the far turn, Iscreamuscream readily regained the lead and set sail for home.
Medoro rallied as though to threaten in midstretch, but Iscreamuscream drew away again. Despite failing to change leads, the Twirling Candy filly increased her margin to 1 1/2 lengths.
Iscreamuscream polished off 1 1/8 miles on the firm course in 1:48.06. The 3.20-1 second choice returned $8.40 while boosting her bankroll to $369,600.
Medoro was a clear second by 1 1/4 lengths from Zona Verde, reversing their placings from the San Clemente. Zona Verde had been runner-up in the prep, where Medoro was a troubled third. Thus the same three fillies furnished the trifecta in both races, albeit with the tweak to the minor awards.
Zona Verde, the winner’s stablemate, is worth watching on a cutback in trip. Buchu finished with interest another length back in fourth. Sakura Blossom, Whiskey Decision, Circle of Trust, and Sea Dancer completed the order of finish.
Whiskey Decision turned out to be an underlay in her graded debut, and first cross-country venture. The Arnaud Delacour trainee did herself no favors by overracing early, but she has rebound potential back East.
D’Amato credited Berrios with a heady ride aboard Iscreamuscream.
“Hector didn’t push the button early. He stayed patient and circled around that other filly (Whiskey Decision) and re-engaged,” the winning trainer said. “I thought at the quarter pole when he got head-and-head with the favorite, he still looked like he had a lot of horse left. I was just hoping she’d draw off and she did.
“It’s a testament to Hector. He gets along with this filly very well and keeps her energy level up at all times and she’s able to finish the way she does. That’ll win you a lot of races.”
Berrios sensed exactly what was going on with Rispoli and Whiskey Decision.
“When I felt Rispoli behind me I thought ‘OK, let him go to the lead while I pick up second.’ I know she had the speed,” Berrios said, “but I wanted to stay behind. She was strong. She went very comfortably in second, and when I asked her to move, she responded. Today, before taking the lead she looked around; she was aware of the other fillies. She is a very, very good filly.”
Iscreamuscream’s ownership expanded following the San Clemente. A 33% interest in the filly was offered during Fasig-Tipton Digital’s Midsummer Flash Sale. Agave Racing Stable came on board with a winning bid of $330,000, joining the existing partnership of Little Red Feather Racing, John Hundley Jr., Marsha Naify, John Snyder, and Stacey Snyder. The dark bay is repaying the investment already, with a Grade 1 laurel enhancing her value as a future broodmare.
Bred by Hunter Rankin and Walker Hancock in Kentucky, the well-named Iscreamuscream is out of the Grade 3-winning Cozzene mare Silver Screamer.
