I’m a Chatterbox Survives Objection to Win Delaware Hcp
The start of the Grade 1 $750,000 Delaware Handicap must have caused unpleasant flashbacks for the connections of I’m a Chatterbox. Trained by Larry Jones and ridden by Florent Geroux, Carolyn and Fletcher Gray’s filly finished first in last year’s Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, but was disqualified to second after bumping into Curalina, who was made the winner.
Today, as the gates opened at Delaware Park to send the fillies and mares out for a mile and a quarter, I’m a Chatterbox took a sharp left out of post four, shoving Milaya into Money’soncharlotte and Paid Up Subscriber.
Mei Ling took advantage of the pile up and went straight to the lead with no challenge. Penwith also had a safe break, but allowed I’m a Chatterbox to go past along with Paid Up Subscriber, who was tucked into the rail by Ricardo Santana, Jr. after recovering from a stumble.
Mei Ling led the field of six through fractions of :23.73, :47.72, and 1:12.82. The mile went in 1:37.47, and I’m a Chatterbox took over from there. The Munnings filly opened up and won by 2 ¼ lengths with a final time of 2:02.64. Paid Up Subscriber was second 4 ¼ lengths ahead of Penwith. Mei Ling was a nose back in fourth, with Milaya and Money’soncharlotte finishing far behind.
An objection was lodged against I’m a Chatterbox by Santana, Jr., but this time the filly was in the stewards’ favor. After waiting out the review, the “official” sign lit up and the number 4 stopped blinking on the tote board.
Off as the 1-2 favorite, I’m a Chatterbox paid $3.20, $2.10, and $2.10 for the win while second favorite Paid Up Subscriber delivered $2.60 and $2.10 at 9-5. Penwith, 7-1, brought $2.80 to show.
I’m a Chatterbox is a homebred for the Grays and was a $30,000 reserve at the 2013 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Since then she has won seven of fourteen starts, including three seconds and two thirds. The Delaware Handicap gave the filly her second Grade 1 win, the first being last year’s Cotillion, and boosted her earnings to $1,834,614.
By Christine Oser