August 17 sees a pair of big races for 3-year-old mares, the Alabama Stakes (G1) and the Del Mar Oaks (G1T). On the East Coast, the favored candy a daughter of Candy Trip was denied Alabama’s victory when the final run of Squeeze strength put that rival in the lead in the sprint. However, just hours later on the West Coast, the Candy Ride breed won when Candy spinner daughter of Iscreamuscream captured Del Mar Oaks by 1 1/2 lengths.
It was the fourth win in as many outings for Iscreamuscream, who made his winning debut on the six-furlong grass track at Santa Anita Park in October last year. She did not appear in public again until June, when she added an optional allowance-claiming event over the same course and distance. From there, she went straight into the black-type competition, with Iscreamuscream leading the way to win the Del Mar Oaks third then, Verde Area by three-quarters of a length in the San Clemente Handicap (G2T).
Iscreamuscream’s sire, Twirling Candy, also campaigned only in California. There, he won seven of his 11 starts from 2 to 4, proving himself a notable performer over both distance and surface. The winner of his only start as a foal, in 2010 at age 3, Twirling Candy won the seven-furlong Malibu Stakes (G1) on dirt, setting a track record. On turf that year, he won the one-mile Oceanside Stakes and the 1 1/8-mile Del Mar Derby (G2T). The following year, on dirt over 1 1/8 miles, he won the Strub Stakes (G2) by 4 1/2 lengths and the Californian Stakes (G2), again by a furlong, by a head. Acclaim —that year’s champion horse—in the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) and finished third by a neck in the Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (G1).
Candy Spinning at Lane Farm
The versatility that is evident in Twirling Candy’s racing record is also evident in his career. He is now responsible for 53 winners in his first nine seasons, and these include graded winners from six furlongs to 1 1/4 miles on both dirt and turf. In addition to Iscreamuscream, he is also represented by other Grade 1 scorers Rombauer (Preakness Stakes 2021, G1), Finley’s Lucky Charm (Madison Bet 2018, G1), Concrete Rose (Belmont Oaks Invitational 2019, G1T), Illusion of Collusion (Bing Crosby Betting 2020, G1), Gift Box (2019 Santa Anita Handicap, G1), More than awesome (Hollywood Derby 2021, G1T), Pine tree (2021 Del Mar Futurity, G1) and Be Praised (Shoemaker Mile, G1T Betting).
Twirling Candy is having a particularly successful 2024 with 10 individual winners—including other scorers Where is my ring? , Agricultural Ammunition And Fundraising walk —this year’s total surpasses just four active stallions—Into mischief , Alignment , Curlin and Twirling Candy’s son in Candy Ride, Gunman .
Iscreamuscream’s Dam, Silver Scream is a talented turf performer, having won the 2012 Eatontown Handicap (G3T) and the Lady Baltimore Stakes. Silver Screamer is also a sister to Sixtyone Margaux, who won the 2002 Serena’s Song Stakes on dirt. Her second dam, West Sider (by Gone West), has finished second four times in 10 starts but has never won a race. She is, however, a sister to Western Fame, who won the 1997 Suffolk Downs Breeders’ Cup Handicap and placed in a pair of graded events. West Sider is also a half-sister to Fantastic City, the dam of Canadian stakes winner Always be awesome and Trumps High, the grandmother of the winning horse Byenne and the horse Huracan, the 2007 champion horse in Puerto Rico.
Silver Screamer wins the 2012 Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park
West Sider is a son of Fariedah, who won the 1989 Very Subtle Breeders’ Cup Handicap by winning the 1989 Very Subtle Breeders’ Cup Handicap. According to Topsider, the winning mare Secretariat was Golden Highlights, Fariedah was the product of a highly successful cross between the stallion Northern Dancer and the mare Secretariat, a cross that produced classic winners Secreto and Summer Squall, juvenile champions Dehere and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as Storm Cat and seven other Grade 1 winners.
Golden Highlights’ dam, Barely Even, was an exceptional performer. She won 17 of her 30 starts, nine of them black, including the Golden Rod Stakes and Astarita Stakes in 1971, and the Falls City Handicap, Ashland Stakes and New York Handicap in 1972. She also finished second or third 10 times, all in races, including when she finished second to Susan’s Girl in the 1972 Kentucky Oaks.
Barely Even also became an important mare. Her progeny included 1988 Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) winner One of a Klein and Sulemeif, who was successful in the 1984 Suwannee River Handicap (G3T). She was also the sire of 49 stakes winners, most notably Still In Love, who won the Japanese Filly Triple Crown in 2003; Robe Decollete (by Iscreamuscream’s sire, Cozzene), winner of the Japanese Oaks in 2007; Summer Colony, who won six graded wins including the 2002 Personal Ensign Handicap (G1); and 2012 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) winner Gemologist.
Iscreamuscream was one of only two winners from Candy Ride’s 10 starters and his mares from Cozzene’s mares, but Candy Ride enjoyed further success with the Siberian Express/In Excess offshoot of Cozzene’s stallion, Caro. In addition, Caro was the sire of Unbridled’s Song, and Unbridled’s Song and his mares proved to be excellent rivals for both Candy Ride and Twirling Candy.
