How to bet the Del Mar Oaks

An octet of sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/8 miles on the lawn in Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) at Del Mar. 

The unbeaten #1 Iscreamuscream passed her route debut when leading at every call en route to a score in the San Clemente H. (G2) on this course last time out, and I will come right back with this daughter of Twirling Candy. 

Del Mar Oaks Wagers

• $5 trifecta key 1 with 3,5,6 ($30)
• 50-cent superfecta 1 with 3,5,6 with 3,5,6 with all ($15)

Trained by Phil D’Amato, the $330,000 yearling purchase began her career with a decisive sprint score at Santa Anita in October and returned at the same venue to crush an allowance field in her 2024 debut on June 13. She was pressured throughout in her stakes bow last time out and never wavered, as the dark bay inched away late in what was a good effort. 

The Kentucky-bred faces a tough test with a deeper cast Saturday, but she has a lot of room for growth and could receive a more favorable trip in this affair. Hector Berrios retains the ride. 

Two other Kentucky shippers have merit in the field, especially #3 Whiskey Decision for trainer Arnaud Delacour. 

This Into Mischief homebred is 3-for-3 by a combined 14 3/4 lengths since adding blinkers, with the last pair coming on turf. The bay dominated the Christiana S. at Delaware Park most recently when sent postward at 1-5 odds and that was a deeper race than expected. She has displayed tactical speed and versatility and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Umberto Rispoli will be in the silks. 

#5 Buchu is winless outside of the Bluegrass State, but she has plenty of ability and could be any kind in her first try on this surface. 

This Phil Bauer pupil ran evenly in the deep Belmont Oaks (G1) in her latest venture and might appreciate this West Coast venue. The dual Grade 2 heroine will make her move approaching the turn for home with Martin Garcia coming back in for the voyage. 

#6 Medoro suffered her first career setback when she was a closing third in the San Clemente last time out in one of her better performances. This Honor Code filly can’t be dismissed for conditioner Peter Eurton.