Saratoga: Grace Hall works toward Alabama

With Grace Hall seemingly thriving at Delaware Park, trainer Tony Dutrow is in no hurry to ship her to Saratoga, where she will make her next start in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes on Aug. 18.

So, Dutrow left Saratoga on Friday to be at Delaware Park on Saturday morning where Grace Hall worked four furlongs in 47.20 seconds under exercise rider Carol Fisher over the main track in preparation for the Alabama. It was the first work for Grace Hall since she won the Delaware Oaks on July 14.

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Dutrow said Grace Hall breezed in company with the 4-year-old colt Rush Now.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Dutrow said. “I breezed her in company with Rush Now and Rush Now was unable to stay with her. She galloped out really good.”

Dutrow said he has been pleased with how well Grace Hall came out of her victory in the Delaware Oaks and said he only needs to get two workouts into the filly before the Alabama. She had three works between the Kentucky Oaks – where she finished third – and the Delaware Oaks.

“Once she ran, I evaluated the situation after the race and I thought I only needed two good workouts with her and that’s what I put into practice in preparation for the Alabama,” Dutrow said. “After watching her today, I’m extremely happy we’ve taken this approach. I think this filly is getting better. We all think she’s getting better and better.”

It’s Tricky in strong move

It’s Tricky, among the leaders of the fillies and mares division, worked a sharp five furlongs in 59.80 seconds over the Polytrack at the Godolphin training center. She worked in company with Villanesca, who was credited with a time of 1:00.80.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he was looking for a strong work from It’s Tricky because it will be three months between starts for the filly. She won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on May 28 and won’t run again until the final weekend of August, most likely in the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign Invitational on Aug. 26. There is a small possibility she will run in the Ballerina on Aug. 24.

“It’s a long time between races. We have to train her some,” McLaughlin said. “She’s doing great. We’ll do it against next week.”

Turbulent Descent preps for Ballerina

Turbulent Descent, last year’s Grade 1 Test winner, worked four furlongs in 48.86 seconds over the main track Saturday morning with jockey John Velazquez up. She worked in company with Slamarama, an unraced 2-year-old who went the same distance in 49.93 seconds.

It was the fourth workout for Turbulent Descent since she was bought by Coolmore and transferred to trainer Todd Pletcher. Turbulent Descent is pointing to the Grade 1 Ballerina here on Aug. 24.