05/29/2012 4:16PM

Belmont Park: Options abound for It’s Tricky after Ogden Phipps Handicap victory

By David Grening
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Barbara D. Livingston
It's Tricky won Monday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap by three-quarters of a length over Cash for Clunkers.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he will wait a little while before deciding where next to run It’s Tricky, who won Monday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap by three-quarters of a length over Cash for Clunkers.

There isn’t a Grade 1 opportunity for It’s Tricky in New York until late August – either the seven-furlong Ballerina or the 1 1/8-mile Personal Ensign – at Saratoga.

In the interim, McLaughlin said he would consider races such as the $750,000 Delaware Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on July 21 or the Grade 2, $200,000 Molly Pitcher going 1 1/16 miles at Monmouth Park on July 29.

McLaughlin said the competition might have something to do with whether he stretches It’s Tricky out to 1 1/4 miles in the DelCap.

“My feelings are she can go a mile and a quarter,” McLaughlin said. “The track is a little funny, but if we go it depends on who’s running. If everybody else is a little afraid of the track, then maybe we go; maybe we’re the favorite.”

It’s Tricky earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for her winning effort.

therealdubwhite More than 1 year ago
I would guess that if a bunch of allowance horses show up for the Del Cap then he will stretch her out to 10 furlongs, but that is very unlikely. I would think that Royal Delta is heading towards the Del Cap and if that's the case then I would imagine that they will go the opposite direction as this filly that relishes 10f.
Paul_Tuon More than 1 year ago
Tthe seven-furlong Ballerina in late August? Bring it on! Groupie Doll is waiting!
Anonymous More than 1 year ago
Options abound for It's Tricky...just not in New York. Thank you, short-sighted stakes coordinator, for making people think a little less about NYRA. Again.
Michael Slezak More than 1 year ago
Even worse, the Personal Ensign has been cut back to 1 1/8 miles from 1 1/4. This despite the fact that the 1 1/4 Del Cap has consistently drawn amazing fields the last few years. So the boneheaded stakes coordinator can't claim an extra furlong would be a deterrent to drawing a great field.