It’s a fun time of year for 3 year-old races.

Saturday, at Del Mar, we’ll get what’s called the “Del Mar Oaks.”  If you ever see the term “Oaks,” it simply means a race restricted to 3 year-old female horses.  It is a mirror term of “Derby,” which is a race restricted to 3 year-olds.  

At Saratoga, we’ll have another Oaks - the Grade 1 Alabama.  If you’re interested in that race, and that sequence at Saratoga, check us out on the Horse Racing Happy Hour podcast where we walk through all of it.  That field opened up significantly after Trainer Kenny McPeek decided to run top 3 year-old Thorpedo Anna against the boys next in the Grade 1 Travers.  We’ll welcome NBC’s Steve Kornacki to the pod for that preview next week, and we’ll preview it here, as well.

Let’s meet the contenders in the Del Mar Oaks, and put together a wager.  We hit the exacta last week in a filly race; let’s see if we can do it again.

1. Iscreamuscream.  8/5.    Jockey: Hector Berrios.        Trainer: Phil D’Amato.

A lightly raced filly, Iscreamuscream comes in undefeated in 3 lifetime starts.  She’s had 3 different jockeys in her 3 races, but keeps Hector Berrios aboard for this run.  A daughter of Twirling Candy, she showed the ability to go 2 turns last out, and should be part of the equation at the end.  For betting purposes, you have to make a decision: key in on her, or try to beat her to maximize return.  I can see either strategy, even though she is my most likely winner.

Comment: Most likely winner.

2.  Circle of Trust. 6/1.     Jockey: Reylu Gutierrez.        Trainer: Phil D’Amato.

Trainer Phil D’Amato has 3 starters in here, including Circle of Trust.  She has the most experience at the 9 furlong distance - and she’s already won 2 of her 4 runs over the 1 ⅛ mile turf.  She won the Grade 3 Honeymoon last out at Santa Anita, after finishing within a length of first in the Grade 3 Providencia, also at Santa Anita.  She’s the value play here, and the only 2 things I don’t love about her are her career record at Del Mar (0-for-2) and the jockey change to Gutierrez.

Comment: Major value play.

3. Whiskey Decision.  5/2.     Jockey: Umberto Rispoli.         Trainer: Arnaud Delacour.

The wildcard of this race is Whiskey Decision, who flies in from the East Coast for this one.  She started her career on the synthetic surface at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, breaking her maiden there before heading to Churchill and finishing on top in her first run against winners.  She then shipped to Delaware to win the Christina Stakes.  I love a horse who can take its show on the road, but this feels like a lot.  They have booked top SoCal turf rider in Umberto Rispoli, and shipping from one coast to the other is never by accident.  I’ll include her in all my bets on Saturday.

Comment: Must-include.

4. Zona Verde. 8/1.        Jockey: Juan Hernandez.        Trainer: Phil D’Amato.

And we arrive at the final of the Phil D’Amato trainees: Zona Verde, who is also amongst the most difficult horses in America to handicap.  Jockey Juan Hernandez has been aboard for most of this filly’s biggest runs, including multiple 2nd place finishes in stakes this year.  In fact, she’s run 2nd 3 times in 4 total runs this year.  She has 2 wins at Del Mar in her career, but both of those happened as a 2 year-old.  Is her best form behind her?  Is she due for a big performance?  Does leading rider Hernandez get her over the hump?  I think he doesn’t, and that she has figured out dinner is ready no matter where she finishes.

Comment: Include in exactas and trifectas.

5. Buchu. 12/1.        Jockey: Martin Garcia.        Trainer: Phil Bauer.

I was surprised, but pleased, to see Buchu in this race.  When your 12/1 morning line runner has won a Grade 2 at Keeneland, you know it’s a high-class race.  I think her resume is better than Whiskey Decision’s, so why would I not include her here?  She also seems to be an every other type, and this is the every other.  I love her at 12/1, and hope she stays there.

Comment: Include in exactas and trifectas.

6. Medoro. 5/1.        Jockey: Antonio Fresu.        Trainer: Peter Eurton.

Here’s my top pick: Medoro.  She was 3rd last out in the Grade 2 San Clemente, behind both Isceramuscream and Zona Verde; that was her first race back in a new form cycle, and this one is second off the layoff.  This is Eurton’s best angle, and I think he was pointing to this race with this filly all along.  I’ll place her on top of my wagers for this race.

Comment: Best value in the race.

7. Sakura Blossom. 20/1.    Jockey: Armando Ayuso.        Trainer: Leonard Powell.

This is your chance at the longest shot on the board, and one that has performed well at the distance.  She finished 4th last out in the San Clemente, and should enjoy the added distance, having run a good 2nd in the Grade 3 Honeymoon.  Ayuso is a good rider that generally doesn’t get the best mounts; if you’re swinging for the fences on a betting return, she’s your best chance.

Comment: Leave-out.

8. Sea Dancer. 20/1.        Jockey: Diego Herrera.        Trainer: Tim Yakteen.

Sea Dancer has been up the track the last two times out in stakes company, and is the only entrant here that would shock if she won.  Her best win was in March in an optional claimer at Santa Anita, and she seems too slow and out of depth in this spot.

Comment: First toss.

How to play this race:    

$1 Trifecta     6 with 1,2,3,4,5 with 1,2,3,4,5,7.  Ticket cost $16.  Good Luck!