Quirky It's Tricky chasing history in Alabama

"She was a little tricky, but she could run, and we knew that right away,"

McLaughlin said. "The first time we ran her at Aqueduct (November 28) she was

part of an entry. Carlos Martin's horse (R Valbella [Sky Mesa]) was 4-5, but

It's Tricky won impressively, and wide. When we went to Florida, we left her in

New York, and she won an optional claimer, and then the Busher."

Following her eight-length victory in the one mile and 70-yard Busher S. on

February 20, the decision was made to skip the Big A's Comely S. (G3) on April 9

and ship It's Tricky to Florida for the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). Sent off as

the second choice behind eventual winner, R Heat Lightning (Trippi), It's Tricky

showed little and finished fourth, beaten more than 22 lengths.

"That wasn't her," McLaughlin said. "She didn't take well to the heat."

After regrouping, the next objective was the Acorn S. (G1) at a mile on

Belmont Stakes Day, June 11. Much of the attention was focused on multiple Grade

1 winner Turbulent Descent (Congrats), who was sent off the 3-4 favorite over

the muddy track. But It's Tricky outfoxed them all, barreling into the lead at

the top of the stretch and onto a 3 3/4-length victory at odds of 10-1.

The vast majority of Darley horses with Grade 1 victories are "graduated" to

Sheikh Mohammed's other, higher-profile stable, Godolphin Racing, and moved to a

different trainer. But in It's Tricky's case, her peccadilloes were so

pronounced that the decision was made to leave her with McLaughlin.

For example, her trip to the July 23 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) from

the barn to the track was far more convoluted than the race itself. Finally

haltered in her stall at Greentree following 45 minutes of playing

"catch-me-if-you-can," It's Tricky was led by Shorty the pony to the assembly

barn, where she remained with her nose firmly planted against his tail until it

was time to hand off to her favorite NYRA pony.

A few minutes later, in her first appearance at Saratoga, It's Tricky again

pulled the upset, collaring favored Plum Pretty (Medaglia d'Oro) in the stretch

and edging clear in the final yards for a three quarters of a length victory.

Immediately after the race, as if to leave no doubt as to the appropriateness of

her name, It's Tricky dumped jockey Eddie Castro after he poured water on her

head.

"She was just being tricky," McLaughlin said. "That's her."

On Saturday, It's Tricky has the chance to join a select group of fillies

that have strung together victories in the Acorn, the Coaching Club American

Oaks, and the Alabama S. (G1). Since 1932, only a half-dozen fillies have won

all three races: Top Flight (1932), Damaged Goods (1940), Shuvee (1969), Mom's

Command (1985), Open Mind (1989), and Sky Beauty (1993).

It would be an amazing accomplishment, said McLaughlin, and her connections

are hopeful It's Tricky can, well, turn the trick.

"I love how she's coming up to the race," he said. "I think she's the one to

beat, and I wouldn't trade places with anyone."