Packs a Wahlop, Mister Iceman closing on stakes starts

DEL MAR, Calif. - The benefit of race experience in recent weeks and months helped Packs a Wahlop and Mister Iceman win maiden special weight races at Del Mar on Friday and Saturday, and moved the promising colts closer to their first start in stakes.

Packs a Wahlop, trained by Jeff Mullins for Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal, won his California debut in a maiden race at five furlongs on turf on Friday. Ridden by Mike Smith, Packs a Wahlop stalked the pace to early stretch before pulling clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 58.03 seconds.

“He’s a good horse,” Mullins said. “We’ll have to see where we go. If he gets to go a mile, he’ll be better. Mike said he didn’t have to show him much.”

Mullins mentioned options such as the $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Turf at a mile on Sept. 11 or a $500,000 race at Kentucky Downs – such as the Juvenile Mile on Sept. 3 or the Juvenile Sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 8 as options.

Packs a Wahlop, by Creative Cause, was fourth in his debut at Gulfstream Park on June 3. The colt was purchased for $270,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in-training in April.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

Mister Iceman is likely to start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs on Sept. 11 after winning his second start on Saturday in a maiden race at five furlongs on dirt.

Ridden by Ramon Vazquez, Mister Iceman disputed the early pace, took the lead on the turn and won by a neck over the first-time starter Hawker in 58.17 seconds.

“He showed a lot of grit and heart,” trainer Peter Miller said. “He took all the pressure and kept going.”

By Girvin, Mister Iceman was second to the well-regarded Havnameltdown in a maiden race at five furlongs on July 24.

Owned by Gary Barber, Mister Iceman was purchased for $80,000 at Ocala in April.

Havnameltdown, who made his debut on July 24, is a probable starter in Sunday’s Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs, a key prep for the Del Mar Futurity.

Other candidates for the $200,000 Best Pal includes Agency, Arman, Jin Tong, King Adrock, Man Child, Pop d’Oro, President Z, Quagmire Magic and Tahoma.

Saturday’s Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs is expected to produce starters for the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs on Sept. 10.

The undefeated Vegas Magic, the winner of the Everett Nevin Stakes against males at Pleasanton on July 9, worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Sunday. Abel Cedillo rode Vegas Magic to a win in a maiden special weight race at five furlongs at Santa Anita on June 11 and has the mount in the $200,000 Sorrento.

Vegas Magic’s competition in the Sorrento is expected to include Absolutely Zero, Dazzlingdominika, Halosnheaven, Outofnothingatall, Procrastination, and Satin Doll.