SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – What a difference a week makes. When the $125,000 Union Avenue Stakes was originally scheduled for Aug. 9, Tricky Temper was only a week removed from a victory in a second-level New York-bred allowance. When the Union Avenue was postponed as part of the weather-related cancellation of that day’s card and rescheduled one week later, Tricky Temper found herself back in the entry box. Late Friday afternoon, Tricky Temper found herself back in the winner’s circle after blowing by favored Leeloo in upper stretch and drawing clear to a three-length victory in the Union Avenue at Saratoga. Leeloo, who looked strong turning for home, had to settle for second, 3 1/4 lengths clear of Security Code. Majestic Return, also new to the Union Avenue field, was fourth, followed by Cousin Kristi and Captainsdaughter. Cara’s Time scratched. Tricky Temper, the only 3-year-old in the field of six, won the fourth time in 10 starts. It was her second win coming back in two weeks. She had another win running back on three weeks’ rest. :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports straight from the morning workouts at the track. Available every race day. Trainer Jeremiah Englehart said when the race was postponed, he spoke to owner Mark Stanley about running back for the third time in four weeks. With the next stakes for New York-bred females, the $150,000 Iroquois Stakes, not until Oct. 27 at Aqueduct, Stanley said he was game to try. Under Flavien Prat, Tricky Temper broke running and found herself dueling with Majestic Return. Sensing others wanted the lead more than he did, Prat eased Tricky Temper off the pace and was fourth, between horses, after a quarter in 22.23 seconds. Going into the far turn, Tricky Temper was still behind horses but only two lengths back. At the top of the lane, as Leeloo, under Jose Ortiz, was poised to take to the lead, Prat guided Tricky Temper into the clear. It wasn’t long before Tricky Temper grabbed the lead from Leeloo and then left her and the rest of the field behind in the final furlong. “I got her into the race just like everybody else,” Prat said. “At one point, I didn’t want to get too crazy. I gave her a chance around the turn and she was traveling very well behind horses so I was pleased with her going around the turn. When I tipped her out and showed her a gap, she really gave me a good turn of foot.” Tricky Temper, a daughter of Into Mischief, covered the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.19 and returned $6.90 as the second choice. Englehart said he wasn’t loving the trip early on. “I didn’t think the scenario was good at all where we were,” Englehart said. “Flavien said it looks like she’s better if she’s laying a little closer. I’m like 'Flavien whatever you think, I can’t tell you anything about her [except] she’s done everything so far that we asked her to do this year; whatever you think I’m going by your opinion'.” Prat’s opinion at Saratoga has been strong all meet. He won three races Friday giving him 28 for the meet. The Union Avenue was his meet-best ninth stakes win, three more than Irad Ortiz Jr. When someone jokingly asked Englehart where Tricky Temper would run two weeks from now, Englehart said there is a first-level open allowance race at the end of the month for which she is eligible. That race is scheduled for Aug. 31. “Probably there,” Englehart said. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.