The Ogden Phipps Handicap belongs to the ultra consistent It’s Tricky
Godolphin Racing’s It’s Tricky showed again how special she is when she wore down the runaway pace setter, Cash For Clunkers, to win the Grade 1, $400,00 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park on 28 May, 2012.
The Kiaran McLaughlin trained 4-year-old filly extended her own winning streak to three consecutive wins, and has now stayed undefeated the whole of her 2012 campaign thus far.
While setting a new personal milestone herself, It’s Tricky ended Awesome Maria’s six race winning streak in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap, when the filly finished third on the day.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable, It’s Tricky was anchored at the back by jockey Eddie Castro, while rider Alan Garcia took Cash for Clunkers straight to the lead to carve fractions for the 1 1/16 mile test at Big Sandy.
The daughter of Tiznow, Cash for Clunkers, a lightly raced 4-year-old filly carved impressive fractions along with Garcia, and went all out to cover the opening quarter mile in 22.68 seconds, while they downed the half mile distance in the 45.78 seconds.
Eddie Castro along with It’s Tricky rounded off the bend, and had Cash for Clunkers in their sight, as they got engaged in a powerful rally to win the 1 1/16 mile test, as It’s Tricky nipped Cash for Clunkers to win the race in 1 minute and 41.73 seconds.
“She’s a special filly,” winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “Eddie (Castro) rode her very well. Rick Violette’s filly (runner-up Cash for Clunkers) was tough, wow! We just did get there. From the three-sixteenths pole to the eighth pole, I was worried--she wasn’t there yet. She ran great. We’re not sure what’s next for her.”
“I put her right there, gave her a shot, and in the stretch she had to make her run,” Castro said. “That’s her. The plan, number one, (was to focus on) Awesome Maria. But when you’re in the gate, it’s different.”
In the field of five older fillies, Cash for Clunkers finished second, Awesome Maria, the 124 pound high weight finished third, She’s All in fourth and Juanita completed the order of finish.
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