Godolphin Racing's multiple grade I winner It's Tricky has been retired with an injury to her right hind ankle, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said Oct. 20.
The 4-year-old Mineshaft filly sustained the beginnings of a condylar fracture to the ankle during a bullet five-furlong breeze Oct. 18 as she prepared for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) next month at Santa Anita Park.
"She worked well and the next morning when we went to look at her, she had heat and inflammation in her right hind ankle," said McLaughlin in a New York Racing Association release. "We had it X-rayed, and forwarded the X-rays to Dr. Larry Bramlage, and both he and Dr. Christian Rhein, who did the X-rays, agreed it was the beginning of a condylar fracture. No surgery will be required. We just have to stop on her and at this point, she'll go on to her new career as a mother."
First, second, or third in all but one of her 14 career starts, It's Tricky scored grade I wins in last year's TVG Acorn Stakes and the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks and in this year's Ogden Phipps Handicap. Last year, she finished second in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) and the TVG Alabama Stakes (gr. I), and was an Eclipse Award finalist.
"She was a real star," said McLaughlin of the filly, who had her quirks and often proved difficult to saddle early in her career. "Even though she was tricky, she was a barn favorite, because there were so many people involved with her because of that. She was highly thought of and respected in our organization. Grade ones are hard to win and she was a multiple grade I winner."
McLaughlin said It's Tricky, who retired with a record of 8-4-1 with earnings of $1,666,500, would depart for Lexington in a week or so.
Bred in Kentucky by Stonerside Stable, It's Tricky is out of grade III winner Catboat (by Tale of the Cat ).