Aqueduct: It's Tricky likely to stay for Distaff start

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The connections of It’s Tricky are leaning toward running their multiple Grade 1 winning filly in next Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Distaff at Aqueduct as opposed to Friday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn.

Regardless of where she starts, It’s Tricky on Friday signaled her readiness with a sharp half-mile breeze in 48.32 seconds over the Belmont Park training track.

Working in company with the 4-year-old maiden winning filly Silent Fright, It’s Tricky went to the half-mile pole about two lengths behind her, but was quickly ahead of her workmate before being reined in by exercise rider Renzo Morales. It’s Tricky went her first quarter in 23.44 seconds.

Coming into the stretch, It’s Tricky was a little wide but still finished in a respectable 24.88 seconds while besting her workmate by a neck.

“She was keen and happy and worked well,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said he wanted to check the weights for the Apple Blossom to see what the spread would be between his filly and defending Horse of the Year Havre de Grace. Those were weights were expected to be released Saturday.

Also, McLaughlin said that travel to Oaklawn Park can be difficult. He would have to fly It’s Tricky to Lexington and then van her to Arkansas, approximately 10 hours.

“Because of who she is, how tricky she is, we just have to see,” McLaughlin said. “It’s a lot easier to stay here for sure.”

McLaughlin is not crazy about cutting It’s Tricky back in distance to seven furlongs, though she has won going a one-turn mile in last year’s Grade 1 Acorn.