Kiaran McLaughlin got to celebrate a rousing finish in Saratoga on Saturday when Godolphin Racing's It's Tricky, which he trains, dueled the length of the stretch under Eddie Castro to win the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at nine furlongs.
It's Tricky, a 3-year-old daughter of Mineshaft, stalked the early pace set by Plum Pretty, drew abreast with that rival about a furlong from home and prevailed less than 100 yards from the wire to score by almost a length. The winner returned a $10.60 win mutuel as the third choice in the select field of five fillies. Plum Pretty, the Kentucky Oaks victor, was the favorite and held on for second place.
The victory was the fifth in six career starts for It's Tricky, and the fourth in as many tries with Castro aboard. The filly may have tipped her hand in the morning when she displayed a frisky side at the barn.
"It took us a long time to catch her in the stall this morning to put her halter on," McLaughlin said. "But that's a good thing. We want her to be tricky. And she was tricky this morning. She won, she didn't do anything wrong in the paddock or in the race, and Eddie rode a great race."
McLaughlin advised that the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on August 20 will probably be next for It's Tricky.
