Handicapper's Edge

Return to Home Page

Phone: (800)354-9206
edit.staff@brisnet.com

 
 Printer Friendly Page 

It's Tricky digs in for Distaff 'Cap victory

It's Tricky powered home to take the Distaff 'Cap (Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com)

It's Tricky appeared in trouble rounding the turn of Saturday's Grade 2, $196,000 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct, but the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee showed her class when digging deep under a energetic ride from Eddie Castro to score by 3 1/2 lengths on the wire. The bay daughter of Mineshaft was sent off the 3-5 favorite in the depleted field of five runners and paid $3.40, $2.60 and $2.10.

"For sure, when Eddie went to the whip (there were some anxious moments)," assistant trainer Art Magnuson admitted. "We're going to want to run her longer next time, for sure. I think she couldn't keep up at the three-eighths pole and he wanted her not to fall behind. When he did hit her, you're wondering all that kind of stuff, but in the end it doesn't matter anymore. It was a good run, good run.

"We're happy she was here in New York. It's a long ship across the country, and we're New York people anyway. We'll be here for the (Grade 1 Ogden) Phipps at the end of May (May 28 at Belmont Park)."

The Distaff developed into a duel almost from the beginning. It's Tricky and White Merlot headed to the front when the gates opened, but Dontbeshy I'll Buy slipped through on the rail to take command through the opening quarter in :22 2/5. White Merlot backed up a bit, but defending champion Nicole H was more than willing to challenge on the inside of Dontbeshy I'll Buy, sticking her head in front while passing the half-mile mark in :45.

It's Tricky was in close contact just on the outside all the while but Castro gave her supporters something to worry about when he went to the whip rounding the turn. He kept steady pressure going on the multiple Grade 1 winner as Nicole H and Dontbeshy I'll Buy proved stubborn to her inside, but It's Tricky asserted her superiority when finally drawing off to finish seven furlongs on the fast track in 1:22 1/5.

"She ran a mile and a sixteenth the time before, but she broke sharp and was right there. I had to keep her busy a little bit at the three-eighths, but when she was going, she was going. She was perfect in the stretch," Castro explained.

C C's Pal bided her time in last throughout the Distaff, but came running late to pass all but the winner. It was 2 3/4 lengths back to Dontbeshy I'll Buy, who got the best of Nicole H by 1 3/4 lengths. White Merlot brought up the rear of the field, while Aquitania and Her Smile were both scratched.

It's Tricky is now two-for-two on the year, though she appeared to have an easier time when taking the Grade 2 Top Flight Handicap in her four-year-old bow on March 3 over Aqueduct's inner surface. That was the Godolphin colorbearer's first win since taking the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks last July at Saratoga. It's Tricky also posted victories in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes and Busher Stakes during her sophomore campaign, but ended the year with a string of runner-up efforts in the Grade 1 Alabama, Grade 2 Cotillion and Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic.

"That was very exciting and it's always encouraging to see these fillies when they come back from their three-year-old year into their four-year-old year," said Jimmy Bell, the Godolphin Racing Manager. "She's blossomed, she's grown up, she's given us the indication of being a little more professional each and every time over there.

"As Kiaran had mentioned earlier, this is a cut back in distance, but the next race on the agenda is a one-turn mile and a sixteenth, so that's good. She's got what we all wish a lot of them had, she's got tactical speed and can use it at any time and carry it a distance of ground. She can do it short or long, she's certainly not one dimensional.

"It's just great to seeing her happy, healthy and really interested in doing what she does best. This is another good step forward."

With the winner's share from the Distaff 'Cap, It's Tricky boosted her lifetime earnings to $1,286,500 while her record now stands at 11-7-3-0.

Bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable, the bay lass is out of the Grade 3-scoring Tale of the Cat mare Catboat, who is a half-sister to stakes-placed winners This Fleet is Due and Betty Garr. That trio's dam is herself a half-sibling to multiple Grade 3-placed stakes hero Northern Wolf.


 


Send this article to a friend