Del Mar Oaks

There were two Grade I races last weekend in North America, one at Saratoga and one at Del Mar. One was on the dirt and one was on the turf, one at 10 furlongs and the other at nine furlongs. Other than both being carded for 3-year-old fillies, what did they have in common? Each was won by a daughter of a Lane's End sire. Union Rags captured the GI Alabama Stakes with Power Squeeze, while Twirling Candy took the GI Del Mar Oaks with Iscreamuscream. To add to the...

In her first start since a 33% share of her sold for $330,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midsummer Flash Sale, Agave Racing Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) extended her record to a perfect four-for-four with a confident victory in Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks. Breaking from Post 1, the 3-1 second choice went to the fore with the leading group, carving out an opening quarter in sensible :24.20. Umberto Rispoli aboard recent Christiana Stakes winner Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) decided the early pace was far too slow and rushed to the front, opening...

Keeneland Sales, which will continue to be presenting sponsor of the GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course this summer, will also be the presenting sponsor of this year's GI Del Mar Oaks. Both races for 3-year-old fillies will be held Aug. 17. "Keeneland is thrilled to once again collaborate with the New York Racing Association and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in sponsoring prestigious summer stakes," Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. "Endorsements such as these allow us to celebrate Keeneland sales graduates from coast to coast...

With the threat of Hurricane Hilary looming over Southern California and Del Mar, Anisette (GB) (f, 3, Awtaad {Ire}--Tutti Frutti {GB}, by Teofilo {Ire}) took the seaside oval by storm, blowing the doors off the GI Del Mar Oaks Saturday. She remained perfect in three U.S. starts since transferring to Leonard Powell's barn from the UK earlier this year. The final time for Anisett's nine furlongs on the lawn was 1:48.15 as 'TDN Rising Star' and East Coast shipper Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), as well as former Irish...

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Del Mar's GI Del Mar Oaks, inaugurated in 1957 on the dirt but a permanent fixture on the grass since the 1965 edition. As always, when there's racemares of this caliber, many will go on to become excellent producers. A few especially leap off the page for their accomplishments after racing. Following are highlights of some of the most important Del Mar Oaks winners by...

Gainesway Stable's Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}) was named 2022 New York-bred Horse of the Year--as well as champion 3-year-old filly and champion female turf horse--at the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.'s annual awards ceremony, sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, at Saratoga National Golf Course Monday evening. Now four, the filly won a pair of graded events last spring before heading overseas for a runner-up effort in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot. She returned Stateside to win the GI Del Mar Oaks in August. "It's...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack tracks down top horses on the sidelines. Gainesway homebred Spendarella (f, 3, Karakontie {Jpn}--Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat)--sidelined since posting a dominating 4 1/2-length victory for trainer Graham Motion in the GI Del Mar Oaks in August--will return for a 4-year-old campaign with an early-season target of the GI Jenny Wiley S. at Keeneland. "She came out of that last race with a couple of little issues and we gave her some time," said Alex Solis II, Gainesway's Director of Bloodstock...

Gainesway Stable's Spendarella (Karakontie {Jpn}), a huge second in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 17, put on a show in Saturday evening's GI Del Mar Oaks. Favored at 6-5 after suffering her first career defeat overseas, the New York-bred stalked the early leaders in third, hit the gas while three wide on the far turn, and kicked clear impressively in the stretch to win for fun by 4 1/2 lengths over Bellabel (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}). Spendarella began her career with three straight victories, including Gulfstream's GIII Herecomesthebride...

There is plenty to play for in Saturday's 142nd running of the $600,000 GI Alabama S. at Saratoga, where Nest (Curlin) and Secret Oath (Arrogate) face one another for the third time head-to-head--each with one victory to their credit--with divisional supremacy awaiting the winner. An 8 1/4-length tour-de-force tally in Keeneland's GI Central Bank Ashland S. accorded Nest the role of favoritism in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, but she was no match for the somewhat forgotten Secret Oath, dropping a two-length decision. A meritorious second to stablemate Mo Donegal...

California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) is revamping its summer online fundraiser which will be live on TVG Saturday, Aug. 20--sharing the GI Del Mar Oaks Day coverage. Heartwarming and uplifting stories of Thoroughbred aftercare will be shared on CARMA's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts throughout the month of August and all-day Aug. 20. "CARMAthon has been a huge win for us, especially given the circumstances surrounding the pandemic," said Billy Koch, CARMA President and Founder and Managing Partner of Little Red Feather Racing. "The racing industry has really stepped up...

Going Global (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) was given a letter-perfect steer from the in-form Flavien Prat and outkicked an unlucky Closing Remarks (Vronsky) to salute in Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks. Looking to avenge her defeat at the hands of Madone (Vancouver {Aus}) in the GII San Clemente S., Going Global was off without incident from gate three and took up a mid-field position as Javanica (Medaglia d'Oro) led at a moderate tempo from 60-1 Feathers (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Ivy League (Medaglia d'Oro) into the first turn. Switched off nicely...

Madone (Vancouver {Aus}) and Going Global (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) have one win each from their two prior meetings and look to break that tie Saturday in the GI Del Mar Oaks. Starting off her sophomore season with a victory in the GIII Senorita S. at Santa Anita May 1, Madone faded to sixth behind Going Global in the GIII Honeymoon S. going nine panels there 21 days later. The dark bay rallied strongly to turn the tables on that foe with a half-length success in Del Mar's one-mile GII San...