I'm A Chatterbox Emphatic in Fair Grounds Oaks

Fletcher and Carolyn Gray’s Larry Jones-trained daughter of Munnings attended splits of :23.69 and :47.03 set by longshot Jugni before assuming command through a three-quarters split of 1:11.19 before steadily holding sway over Regis Racing’s Steve Asmussen-trained Shook Up in a final time of 1:44.40 for the 1 1/16 miles trip, paying $3.20, $2.40, and $2.10 as the 3-5 wagering favorite. The victory was her third in as many starts at the New Orleans oval and fourth overall from six career starts, with the $240,000 winner’s share boosting her career bankroll to $468,614.

“She was right where I wanted to be,” winning rider Florent Geroux said. “She got a little bit bored in the final eighth of a mile but she kept running on.”

Trainer Larry Jones was enthused with his charge’s performance. “She is a really nice filly. We have been very blessed to get to race her. On to Kentucky is the plan.”

I’m a Chatterbox will look to follow in the footsteps of last year’s Fair Grounds Oaks winner, Untapable, and capture the Grade I Kentucky Oaks on the first Friday in May. If successful, she would become the seventh filly in the last eleven editions of the Fair Grounds Oaks to do so.

Shook Up, fifth behind I’m a Chatterbox in last month’s Rachel Alexandra, tracked the pace outside of horses, took a shot at the eventual winner turning for home under Robby Albarado but could not keep pace late, finishing a length clear of Charles Fipke’s Dallas Stewart-trained Forever Unbridled, third for rider Brian Hernandez, Jr.

“She left in order,” Albarado explained. “Much more professional today. You've seen her previous races where she lugged in a bit. She was much better today and she stayed to the wire."

Shook Up returned $3.40 and $2.80, while Forever Unbridled paid $2.20.

Danette, Audrey’s Double, Tachiello, Desert Valley, and Jugni completed the order of finish.