I'm a Chatterbox flashes new style to win Fair Grounds Oaks

NEW ORLEANS – First she won on the lead. Then she won by rallying from last. On Saturday, I’m a Chatterbox had a new trick up her girth as she stalked the pace.

Yet in all three instances, the result was the same. Following victories in the Silverbulletday and Rachel Alexandra, I’m a Chatterbox completed a sweep of the Fair Grounds preps toward the Kentucky Oaks by capturing the Grade 2, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

I’m a Chatterbox ($3.20), the odds-on favorite, stalked the early pace of the longshot Jugni through a quick half-mile in 47.03 seconds and surged to the lead on the far turn but had to be asked aggressively to stave off Shook Up in upper stretch before going on to win by 2 1/2 lengths.

Shook Up held second by one length over Forever Unbridled. Danette rallied from last in the eight-horse field to get fourth and was followed in order by Audrey’s Double, Tachiello, Desert Valley, and Jugni.

Audrey’s Double delayed the race when she needed a shoe repair in the paddock while the horses were being saddled.

I’m a Chatterbox completed 1 1/16 miles on the fast main track in 1:44.40. She led after six furlongs in 1:11.19 and a mile in 1:37.40.

The victory was worth 100 points toward a berth in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, and trainer Larry Jones said that is where I’m a Chatterbox is headed next. Jones took over as the trainer of I’m a Chatterbox at the end of 2014. All three of her races this year here at Fair Grounds were under his care.

Jones has won the Kentucky Oaks twice previously, with Proud Spell (2008) and Believe You Can (2012). Both those fillies also won the Fair Grounds Oaks, as did last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner, Untapable.

Florent Geroux rode I’m a Chatterbox. He first got on her when she was transferred to Jones.

“She was on the lead, she was dead last, so today we tried something in the middle,” Jones said. “I like a jockey who listens to instructions. I told him to do whatever he needs to do. She was in a great spot.”

I’m a Chatterbox, a daughter of Munnings, is owned by Fletcher and Carolyn Gray. She now has won four times in six starts.