Will Turf Heat Up Iced Out?

Iced Out, who was second in two stakes races at Santa Anita, will make his debut on turf in the third race today at Del Mar.

Privately purchased by trainer Doug O’Neill for owners Rod and Lorraine Rodriguez after he beat $32,000 maidens by 7 1/2 lengths on Nov. 26 at Golden Gate Fields, Iced Out will have only four opponents in the $60,000 optional claimer at one mile.

The race is the first leg of a pick six with a carry-over of $147,463.

In his first start for O’Neill, Iced Out was second to Uncle Denny in the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes on Dec. 26, then was runner-up to Going Wild in the San Rafael on Jan. 15.

Sent to New Orleans for the Risen Star on Feb. 12 at the Fair Grounds, Iced Out finished fifth and immediately went to the sidelines. Sired by Comic Strip, who has produced a fair share of grass winners, Iced Out will be ridden for the first time by Jon Court.

Honorable Coach, who was third behind Willow O Wisp and Osidy in his last start in the Cinema Breeders’ Cup Handicap on June 26 at Hollywood Park, looks like the one to beat. Also scheduled to run are Standing Brave, who was fourth in the second division of the Oceanside Stakes on July 20, Roy’s Last Roar and Petrus.

Race of the day: Cloak Of Vagueness will try for back-to-back victories in the second division of the $65,000 De La Rose, at one mile on turf, at Saratoga.

One for the road: Dina adds Lasix and switches to the turf, a surface she is bred to relish, against a weak field of maiden fillies and mares in the third at Saratoga, a $46,000 race at 1 1/16 miles.

Exotically speaking: An exacta box in the eighth using Senior Discount, Blind Harry and Fill The Temple.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/55. Money: Previous day/meet total: $8.40/$311. Total money bet: $326.