Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin taking It’s Tricky to either the Personal Ensign or the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin does not want to take any chances with his runner, It’s Tricky, who he trains for owners, Godolphin.
The four-year-old filly holds entries in the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes, which will take place at Saratoga and, covers a distance of seven furlongs.
The filly also holds an entry in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga, which covers a longer distance of 1 1/8 miles.
The trainer commented that chances are that, the daughter of Mineshaft will run in the Ballerina Stakes as he said:
"She'll work tomorrow morning but my gut feeling is that she'll skip the (Grade 2) Delaware Handicap."
He further added that:
"It's 1 1/4 miles, the track is tiring, and she doesn't ship all that well. So that's doubtful, and we'll look at the seven-furlong (Ballerina) or the 1 1/8-mile (Personal Ensign)."
Foaled by mare Catboat, the older division runner has quite the successful record. This season she succeeded three times in a row and, will now attempt to continue her winning streak and claim a fourth one.
Having prior experience at Saratoga will definitely work in her advantage, but she will need a little luck to extend her winning streak at the Spa.
The Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks that covered 1 1/8 miles was won by It’s Tricky last year. Mounted by rider Eddie Castro, she completed the race in 1 minute and 49.15 seconds and defeated the Bob Baffert trained, Plum Pretty.
McLaughlin is considering runner, Questing, in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga, aiming for the title for the second year in a row.
Regarding the daughter of Hard Spun, out of mare Chercheuse, the handler is optimistic and says she is in good form.
The sophomore recently emerged victorious from as Allowance Optional Claimer at Belmont Park on 24th June, 2012, and swiftly bolted through the 1 mile track and completed it in 1 minute and 34.14 seconds.
There she defeated the Chad Brown trained, Book Review, by a considerable margin of 3 ¾ lengths.
The trainer believes that the three-year-old can perform well and he would be satisfied with a placed finish as he said:
“It's OK to be third in a Grade 1."
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