It’s Tricky the one to beat in Cotillion

In their first meeting, It’s Tricky (left) got the better of Plum Pretty in the CCA Oaks (Melissa Wirth/Horsephotos.com) The race likely decide to champion three-year-old filly honors will be the November 4 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1), but one of the leading contenders for the award will be back in action Saturday at Parx Racing in the $750,000 Cotillion S. (G2) over 1 1/16 miles. IT’S TRICKY (Mineshaft), who declared her candidacy following summertime wins in the Acorn S. (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), should be a strong favorite to register her third graded win and fourth stakes score of the season for owner Darley Stable and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. A five-time winner in seven starts, It’s Tricky has long since made most forget about the lone hiccup of her career — a distant fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her only race outside New York — by being among the best of her division. Rebounding from the Florida debacle with a decisive 3 3/4-length tally over Turbulent Descent (Congrats) in a muddy Acorn, It’s Tricky came back to wear down Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine PLUM PRETTY (Medaglia d’Oro) in the CCA Oaks by three parts of a length. A distant third that day was the comebacking Royal Delta (A.P. Indy), who turned the tables on both last out in the Alabama S. (G1). It’s Tricky finished second, 5 1/2 lengths behind Royal Delta, but was clear of Plum Pretty by four lengths.

Though winless in three outings since the Kentucky Oaks, Plum Pretty was
stretching her limit when racing in the 1 1/4-mile Alabama. Her Oaks win
notwithstanding, nine furlongs is probably not her preferred distance either.
However, the shorter distance of the Cotillion might be right up her alley,
though she might have to contend with an improving LOVE AND PRIDE (A.P. Indy)
for early supremacy. That rival, whose dam is a half-sister to champion and
noted sire Bernardini, exits two dominating wins, the latter a 6 3/4-length
demolition of the Proud Spell S. at Saratoga.

With two losses in as many tries against It’s Tricky, Plum Pretty will get no
break in the weights as both fillies are required to tote 124 pounds. Also
carrying the same impost is BUSTER’S READY (More Than Ready), who landed a weak
renewal of the Mother Goose S. (G1) before losing the CCA Oaks by 11 lengths.

The Cotillion field is rounded out by the streaking California-bred HALO
DOLLY (Popular), the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained winner of five straight, and the
overmatched DARING REALITY (Include). Halo Dolly’s last two wins — the Diamond
Jubilee S. at Santa Rosa and Solona Beach H. at Del Mar — were on grass, while
the minor stakes-winning Daring Reality has gone unplaced in the relatively soft
Monmouth Oaks (G3) and Delaware Oaks (G2) in her last two.

Only six juvenile fillies will line up for the $125,000
Brandywine
S. over seven furlongs. The heavy favorite should be Colleen S. winner SAY A
NOVENA (Songandaprayer), who also owns runner-up finishes in the Matron S. (G2)
and Sorority S. through five starts.