I'm a Chatterbox drills for Breeders' Cup Distaff

The light 2016 campaign for I’m a Chatterbox was by necessity. After an eight-start 2015 campaign that went from January through October and included most of the top races for 3-year-old fillies, she needed a break.

“She was tired after her 3-year-old year,” trainer Larry Jones said. “We gave her a pretty good break over the winter, just trying to do what was right for the horse. I’m not saying it was all designed.”

Last year, I’m a Chatterbox won three stakes at Fair Grounds, finished third in the Kentucky Oaks, was disqualified from victory in a Grade 1 at Saratoga, finished second in another Grade 1 at Saratoga, won the Grade 1 Cotillion at Parx, and finished eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland. It was an enterprising campaign, to say the least.

This year, I’m a Chatterbox has raced only five times, winning two Grade 1 races, the Delaware Handicap and Spinster at Keeneland. When she arrives Monday in California to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Jones is confident the filly is at the top of her game.

“We feel like she’s coming into it the best she’s ever been,” Jones said Saturday from Keeneland, where I’m a Chatterbox worked five furlongs in 59 seconds. “She’s tall and kind of lean. But she’s put on more weight now than she’s ever carried.”

I’m a Chatterbox worked alone Saturday and is scheduled to ship early Monday morning for her first trip to California. It might not be her last. Plans call for I’m a Chatterbox to race next season as a 5-year-old; the 2017 Breeders’ Cup will be held at Del Mar.

I’m a Chatterbox, owned by Grayson Farm, has won eight races and $2,209,164 from 16 starts, including three Grade 1 wins. Florent Geroux is her rider.