2024 Del Mar Oaks

Hector Berrios aboard Iscreamuscream after winning the 2024 Del Mar Oaks

The highlight race at Del Mar on Saturday was the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) presented by Keeneland Sales for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles on the Jimmy Durante turf course. Conditions were excellent in San Diego County with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70's for the 11,809 fans in attendance. Whiskey Decision was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of 8 off a 3 race win streak including the Christina Stakes at Delaware Park last out. In to challenge her included 3-1 second choice Iscreamuscream, undefeated in 3 starts including the San Clemente Handicap (G2), and 4-1 third choice Buchu, 6th in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) after finishing second in the Regret (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Iscreamuscream leads down the stretch in the Del Mar Oaks

Iscreamuscream was quickest out of the infield chute through an opening quarter of 24.20 before Whiskey Decision took over on the clubhouse turn through a half in 48.10 and 3/4 in 1:11.56 pressed by Iscreamuscream and stalked by 49-1 longest shot Sea Dancer and 11-1 Zona Verde. Turning for home, Whiskey Decision tired allowing Iscreamuscream to regain the lead through 1 mile in 1:35.97. Kept to task by Hector Berrios, Iscreamuscream pulled away to win by 1 1/2 lengths over late-running 9-2 fourth choice Medoro in 1:48.06. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Zona Verde third, while favorite Whiskey Decision checked in 6th beaten 7 lengths.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 1 Iscreamuscream Berrios 8.40 4.60 3.00 6 Medoro Fresu 4.80 2.80 4 Zona Verde Hernandez 4.80 Winning Time: 1:48.06 $1 Exacta 1-6 16.10 $2 Quinella 1-6 21.60 $1 Trifecta 1-6-4 88.70 $1 Superfecta 1-6-4-5 321.80 Results Chart

Left: Iscreamuscream in the winner's circle. Winning jockey Hector Berrios said, "When I felt Rispoli (on Whiskey Decision) behind me I thought 'Okay, let him go to the lead while I pick up second.' I know she had the speed 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."

Right: Iscreamuscream in the post parade. Winning trainer Phil D'Amato said, "Hector didn't push the button early. He stayed patient and circled around that other filly and re-engaged. 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."

Left: Second place finisher Medoro in the paddock before the race. The Peter Eurton trainee improved her record to 4 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 6 starts, earning $300,600 for owner C R K Stable.

Right: Third place finisher Zona Verde in the paddock. The Phil D'Amato trainee improved her record to 2 wins, 4 seconds, and 2 thirds in 13 starts, earning $237,426 for owners Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, and Michael Nentwig.

Sixth place finisher and beaten favorite Whiskey Decision heads out to the track before the race. The Arnaud Delacour trainee has a record of 3 wins, 0 seconds, and 0 thirds in 5 starts, earning $207,762 for owners Frederick Hertrich III and John Fielding.

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