It's Tricky wore down a stubborn Cash for Clunkers in the final strides to win the $400,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) in gritty fashion, with last year's winner Awesome Maria finishing third.
Ridden to victory by Eddie Castro, who also won the Sand Point Stakes (gr. II) one race earlier, It's Tricky got off to a good start and settled into the second position early on as Cash for Clunkers set a quick pace of :22.68 and :46.78. Juanita and Awesome Maria were content to track the top two while racing together in third, while She's All In trailed early in a field of five.
Following three-quarters of a mile in 1:09.34, It's Tricky moved up to challenge Cash for Clunkers for the lead, and those two entered the homestretch locked together with little between them. Awesome Maria was attempting to rally on the far outside, but while she was able to match strides with the top two, she was unable to gain during the stretch run.
Close to the wire, it appeared as though Cash for Clunkers was going to pull off a surprising upset, but It's Tricky was able to wear her down inside the final sixteenth to win the race by a half-length, stopping the clock for 1 1/16th miles in 1:41.73.
Awesome Maria finished a clear third over She's All In, while Juanita trailed the field.
The winner is owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. The victory was It's Tricky's third in a grade I stakes, following wins in the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) and Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) last year.
-Keelerman
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