It’s Tricky,
Godolphin Racing’s multiple-Grade 1 winning filly, will likely next
contest the Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park on Saturday,
July 21, with the long-term summer goal remaining the Grade 1, $600,000
Personal Ensign at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday, August 26.
The ultra consistent 4-year-old daughter of Mineshaft has only run the
1 ¼-mile distance of the Delaware Handicap once, finishing 2nd by 5
½ lengths to eventual Eclipse champion Royal Delta in the Grade 1 Alabama at
Saratoga last summer.
The Personal Ensign, which had been run at 1 ¼ miles from 1995 through
2011, will return this year to the same distance it was contested over from
1976 through 2004 – 1 1/8 miles.
“She can go a mile and a quarter, but a mile and an eighth is
probably better,” said Artie Magnuson, assistant trainer to Kiaran
McLaughlin. “She has been training very well, outstanding.”
In nine career graded races, It’s Tricky has only run worse than
second once, and boasts Grade 1 wins in last year’s TVG Acorn and TVG
Coaching Club American Oaks, and this year’s Ogden Phipps Handicap. She
is undefeated in three 2012 starts, all in graded competition.