The Saratoga summer meeting kicked off on Friday and industry heavyweights Darley and Coolmore raced straight into the spotlight over the weekend.

Sheikh Mohammed and his stallions claimed a quinella in the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks on Saturday when It’s Tricky scored a hard-fought victory over G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty (Medaglia d’Oro).

It’s Tricky (3f Mineshaft – Catboat by Tale of the Cat) was coming off a G1 victory in the Acorn Stakes.  “We’ve always liked her,” winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.  “She’s only had one defeat in her life and is a very nice filly.”

It’s Tricky was bred in Kentucky and was part of the deal when Stonerside Stable sold its operation to Sheikh Mohammed in September 2008.  She is the second foal of Catboat who was a G3 winner of the 2004 Arlington Oaks.

The first two home are scheduled to clash again in the G1 Alabama Stakes at the Spa next month.

Coolmore shuttler Tale Of The Cat had a hand in the CCA Oaks and his colt Overdriven scored with ease in the G2 Sanford Stakes on Sunday.

Overdriven (2c Tale Of The Cat – Air France by French Deputy) is trained by Todd Pletcher for owner Mike Repole and they also race 2010 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo.

Comparisons with last year’s champion colt were inevitable after the good looking colt won the Sanford by four lengths.

“Everyone knows the history of upsets at Saratoga so we weren’t taking anything for granted,” Pletcher said.  “He broke cleanly and put himself in a good spot.  Johnny (Velazquez) said he idled a little bit in front but it was a real professional performance.”

Overdriven was sold by Taylor Made Agency for $350,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale.  He is a half-brother to Smooth Air (Smooth Jazz), a G2 winner of the Gulfstream Park Hcp, Gulfstream Hutcheson Stakes and Ohio Derby.

Next up on Saratoga’s juvenile schedule is the G2 Saratoga Special on August 15 and the G1 Hopeful Stakes on September 5.