Turfway Park: Icicles scores upset win in Likely Exchange

In the chilly Saturday night air at Turfway Park, Dixiana Farms’ aptly named Icicles scored an impressive 3 1/2-length upset victory in the 26th running of the $125,000 Likely Exchange Stakes.

Icicles, a 4-year-old filly by Frosted, not only earned $74,814 for her win but, in partnership with Claiborne Farm, earned a $10,000 credit for a future stallion pairing at the farm as part of the “make your mare series.”

Trained by John Ennis, Icicles was ridden to victory in the one-mile event by Adam Beschizza. The duo stopped the clock at 1:39.64.

It was a good start in the Likely Exchange Stakes as Beschizza hustled Icicles to the early advantage, but they were briefly joined to their outside by Ghostly Gal as they entered the first turn. Midway through the turn, Icicles began to boldly extend the lead over her pace-pressing rival and spurted clear through an opening quarter-mile in a swift 23.36 seconds. Up the backside, Icicles continued to race clear of the rest of the field by 2 1/2 lengths with a half-mile time of 46.95 seconds. As Icicles continued her lead around the far turn, South Florida invader Silver Ticket began to show her best stride, cutting the margin to about 1 1/2 lengths. But as Icicles reached the top of the stretch, she shrugged off Silver Ticket and powered home for a clear victory.

Silver Ticket, who was ridden by Emisael Jaramillo, held second by five lengths over Lilac Girl, who was followed by Lexa, Bali Belle, Catiche, Ghostly Gal and Jag Warrior.

Those sharp enough to back Icicles were rewarded with payouts of $32.58, $13.62 and $6.60. Silver Ticket returned $4.46 and $3.38, and Lilac Girl paid $3.40

The Likely Exchange Stakes was the second-career victory for Icicles from seven starts. Her overall earnings improved to $169,530.

The Likely Exchange Stakes was the final leg of the three-race “make your mare” series that began with the Holiday Inaugural and My Charmer Stakes during the 2023 holiday meet. The top three finishers from each race all received credit to Claiborne Farm on a $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 scale that can be used through the 2025 breeding season.