Little Red Feather Racing is famous for its annual list of the top 25 things to do in Del Marand 2024 must now include winning a classified race on the opening day. That’s exactly what Iscreamuscream made the owners’ group, maintaining his perfect record by winning the one-mile San Clemente Handicap (G2T) on July 20.
Despite the presence of several experienced performers, Iscreamuscream and Medoro attracted the attention of bettors, being the 6-5 favorite and the second choice at 2-1. Medoro won three bets at Santa Anita Parkwhile Iscreamuscream was making his debut in the tournament after two wins against weaker teams.
However, Iscreamuscream could not have looked more professional as she took an early lead under the guidance of rider Hector Berrios. This was her first attempt in about two turns, and so the task of taking the lead might have seemed daunting. But she made it look easy.
Omaha Girl stayed close to Iscreamuscream for most of the race, leading her at one point between calls and coming within half a length of her in the second turn. At that point, Medoro was accelerating, while Verde Area Like Phil D’Amato-trained Iscreamuscream, raced in the middle of the pack from the start and surged out to make his challenge.
Although those two very good mares tried to pressure Iscreamuscream in the straights, he never let them catch him. He finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Zona Verde, 2-for-2 at Del Mar when he entered the race, stopping the clock in 1:35.87. Medoro, who had a traffic incident at the second turn, finished a half-length away in third.
“She’s a big mare, she has a vision and she’s trained like she’s going to run two laps in the morning, so I had a good feeling going into this race that she could do it,” D’Amato said of the winner. “I was a little nervous, she was leading and pushing like that.”
D’Amato praised Berrios’ riding ability, saying the rider “has good hands, which helps him relax and know he’s going to finish.” The trainer also paid Berrios high praise, comparing him to Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye.
Little Red Feather owns Iscreamuscream in partnership with John Hundley Jr., Marsha Naify, and John and Stacey Snyder. Little Red Feather purchased the mare for $145,000 from GOP Racing Stable at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ March 2-Year-Old in Training Sale. Iscreamuscream previously sold for $55,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and was a $9,000 RNA weanling at the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
Hunter Rankin and Walker Hancock bred Iscreamuscream in Kentucky from Kettle mare Silver Scream winner of the 2012 Eatontown Handicap (G3T) and the Lady Baltimore Stakes.
Iscreamuscream, Where is my ring? , Agricultural Ammunition And Fundraising walk is the 2024 ranked award winner Candy spinner Previous runners include 2021 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Rombauer . The winner of five stakes, two of which took place at Del Mar, Twirling Candy won the 2024 entry fee of $60,000 at Lane’s End near Versailles, Ky.
Videotapes: San Clemente H. (G2T)
