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Tom Keyser

Its Tricky will make her first start since winning the Ogden Phipps on May 28 in Sunday's Personal Ensign.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. They have combined to win 15 of 24 starts, 10 graded stakes, and accrued $3.7 million in purses. One is the champion 3-year-old filly of 2011; the other is undefeated in three starts this year.

As far as head-to-head matchups in racing go these days, Sundays showdown between Royal Delta and Its Tricky in the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign Invitational Handicap at Saratoga is about as good as it gets. The Personal Ensign is a Win and Youre In race for the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic to be run Nov. 2 at Santa Anita. The Personal Ensign winner gets her entry fees paid and a $10,000 travel stipend.

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Royal Delta defeated Its Tricky in last years Alabama here and in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic in November at Churchill Downs to secure the championship in the 3-year-old filly division. After dropping her first two starts this year one being the Dubai World Cup in March Royal Delta has come back with a blowout win in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis at Churchill and a gutty neck victory in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap last month at Delaware Park.

Royal Delta, trained by Bill Mott, had a wide trip at Delaware and appeared to be laboring a little due to either an early move or dislike for the surface. Yet she fought back when Tiz Miz Sue came to her in the stretch.

Tiring but classy enough to hold on, Mott said, in summing up the performance. I dont think that filly was ever going to get by her, which is an interesting thing to find out. A lot of times a horse can blow by you if theyre full of run, but if they run to you and you can fend them off that shows you something.

Run at 1 1/4 miles from 1995-2011, the Personal Ensign has been shortened this year to 1 1/8 miles, something that is likely to bring Its Tricky and Royal Delta closer together.

Read more:
Saratoga: Personal Ensign showdown pits Royal Delta vs. It's Tricky