Iscreamuscream, Whiskey Decision set for showdown in Del Mar Oaks

She has won her last three starts, became a stakes winner in her latest outing, and commands loads of respect in Saturday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks on turf.

The description not only fits Iscreamuscream, who is expected to be favored in a projected field of eight, but also the Maryland shipper Whiskey Decision.

Trained by Arnaud Delacour for owners and breeders Fred Hertrich and John Fielding, Whiskey Decision arrived at Del Mar last weekend for the Del Mar Oaks on the strength of a comprehensive win by 2 3/4 lengths in the Christiana Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Delaware Park on July 8 in her stakes debut.

:: DRF's Del Mar Handicapping Packages: Get everything you need to play the races with confidence.

Whiskey Decision, who is by Into Mischief, won a maiden race at a mile on the synthetic track in her second career start at Turfway Park on March 24 and her turf debut in an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs on May 10. The only blemish on her record is a fourth-place finish in a maiden race for sprinters at Turfway Park in February.

“We’ve always been high on her,” Delacour said on Wednesday. “She’s improving with each start.”

Considering Delacour’s base in Maryland and Whiskey Decision’s recent win at Delaware Park, it would have been easy to envision the filly being sent to Saratoga for Saturday’s Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Delacour said the Grade 1 status of the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks, and a possible easier field on the West Coast, held appeal.

“We had it in mind before the Christiana,” he said. “Hopefully, it will work out.

“We didn’t think the race would be tougher than the Lake Placid. I think it’s wide open. The race at Saratoga is not easy.”

The Del Mar Oaks projected field is set to include Iscreamuscream, Zona Verde, Medoro, and Sakura Blossom, the first four finishers of the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar on July 20.

Others expected runners are Buchu, winner of the Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland in April; Circle of Trust, who won the Grade 3 Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita on June 1; and Sea Dancer, a troubled eighth in the San Clemente Stakes.

Iscreamuscream is trained by Phil D’Amato, who also has Circle of Trust and Zona Verde in his stable. Iscreamuscream is unbeaten in three starts.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.