Breeders' Cup: Aruna's defection puts Dominguez on It's Tricky for Ladies' Classic

The field for the Breeders' Cup Ladies’ Classic continued to shrink on Sunday, when trainer Graham Motion decided to run Aruna in the Filly and Mare Turf on Friday.

Motion was reticent to try Aruna on dirt in a race for the first time. She won the Spinster Stakes on Polytrack in her last start, but all her previous starts had been on turf.

Ramon Dominguez would have ridden Aruna had she run in the Ladies’ Classic. Because of the uncertainty over Aruna’s participation in the race, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had not named a rider for It’s Tricky, holding out hope he would get Dominguez.

McLaughlin said Sunday that Dominguez would ride It’s Tricky.

A field of nine is likely for the Ladies’ Classic, what with Havre de Grace certain for the Classic on Saturday, top prospects Blind Luck and Zazu not able to make the race, and several horses pre-entered in two races opting for other spots.

When entries are taken and post positions drawn on Monday, the Ladies’ Classic field is expected to consist of Ask The Moon (Javier Castellano the rider), It’s Tricky (Dominguez), Miss Match (Garrett Gomez), Pachattack (Rajiv Maragh), Plum Pretty (Rafael Bejarano), Royal Delta (Jose Lezcano), Satan’s Quick Chick (Edgar Prado), Super Espresso (John Velazquez), and Ultra Blend (David Flores).

Ask The Moon, Royal Delta, and Satan’s Quick Chick all worked here at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning on a fast main track.

Royal Delta had one of the most impressive works of the morning. She went a half-mile in 47.59 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form, without encouragement and galloped out strongly.

“She was great. Excellent,” said her trainer, Bill Mott.

Ask The Moon went a half-mile in 49.91 seconds, while Satan’s Quick Chick worked a half-mile in 48.99 seconds.

Plum Pretty had the fastest of 20 works over six furlongs, 1:11.60, at Santa Anita.