Ice Dancing's next performance will come in Santa Ysabel

Consecutive wins by Ice Dancing in a maiden race at a mile at Del Mar in late November and Sunday’s Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita have left Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella expecting more from the 3-year-old filly this winter.

The next few months will determine where Ice Dancing ranks in the California and national division.

“She’s a big, strong, good-looking and I think she’ll get better as we go,” he said.

Mandella said on Monday that Ice Dancing is a candidate for the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 25, a key prep for the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks at 1 1/8 miles on April 1. Mandella said the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile on Jan. 28 may be “too soon” for Ice Dancing.

Ice Dancing, who races for Ramona and Perry Bass, led throughout her maiden win, but closed from last to win the Santa Ynez. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Ice Dancing trailed by three lengths on the turn, took the lead in the final furlong, and pulled clear to win by 3 1/4 lengths.

“I always thought she could do this with a fast pace,” Mandella said of Ice Dancing’s style.

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The race did not entirely live up to expectations. Morning-line favorite Justique was withdrawn on Saturday because of a brief illness earlier in the week. Trainer John Shirreffs said Justique remains a candidate for the Las Virgenes.

Ice Dancing, a winner of 2 of 5 starts, was beaten in her first three starts by And Tell Me Nolies, including a third in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante in September and a fourth in the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita in October.

And Tell Me Nolies was eighth of 13 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland in November and recently returned to trainer Peter Miller’s stable after a brief rest.

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