Del Mar Picks | Del Mar Oaks 2024

Aaron previews the 2024 Del Mar Oaks (G1) at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club & gives his top win pick from Saturday’s featured horse race.

Trainer Phil D’Amato entered 2 top contenders including last-out San Clemente Handicap (G2) winner Iscreamuscream, but could another rival stop the circuit’s top turf trainer?

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The press release:

Little Red Feather Racing, Agave Racing Stable or Naify, et al’s undefeated Iscreamuscream drew the rail and the role of the favorite for the 68th edition of the Del Mar Oaks presented by Keeneland Sales on Saturday. The Grade I headliner has attracted eight 3-year-old fillies seeking gold and glory in the $300,000 headliner that will go as Race 8 on the 10-race card.

“Scream” is a daughter of Twirling Candy who has won all three of her starts, the most recent coming in the Grade II San Clemente Stakes at Del Mar on July 20, Opening Day of the current meet. Hector Berrios was in the irons that afternoon and trainer Phil D’Amato has given the Chilean the call right back for the Oaks, which goes at a mile and one eighth out of the Del Mar infield chute.

Morning line maker Jeff Siegel has hung the dark bay or brown filly as the likely horse to beat at 8/5.

Her chief threat appears to be an invader from the east coast named Whiskey Decision, owned by the partnership of Hertrich III or Fielding and trained by Arnaud Delacour. They have hired on one of the top local grass riders in Umberto Rispoli to take the reins Saturday and they’ll break from Post 3 in the lineup. The daughter of top sire Into Mischief comes into the test off three consecutive victories, the most recent in a small stakes at Delaware Park on July 8. She’s been slotted at 5/2 on the line.

Another filly of note in the field is C R K Stable’s Medoro, who finished third to “Scream” in the San Clemente after a troubled trip. The bay by Honor Code had won four straight prior to that one, including a trio of stakes. She’s posted at 5-1.

The Del Mar Oaks has been captured by top fillies throughout its extensive history. Last year’s winner – Anisette – has returned to action subsequently and been a multiple-stakes winner, including the Grade II Yellow Ribbon Handicap locally just last week. She’s seen as a serious threat for the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Turf at a mile and three-eighths this year, which will be run at Del Mar on Saturday, November 2.

First post Saturday will be the usual 2 p.m. The Del Mar Oaks should go off at approximately 5:30 p.m.