I'm a Chatterbox finally gets Grade 1 win in Cotillion
BENSALEM, Pa. – I'm a Chatterbox had a successful but somewhat frustrating summer while trying to win her first Grade 1. She finally got the job done in her fourth try, taking the $1 million Cotillion at Parx Racing on Saturday.
With red-hot Florent Geroux in the saddle, I'm a Chatterbox found her way to the inner rail from post 7 before hitting the first turn in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion. She bided her time in fourth position early, took the lead outside the pacesetting Calamity Kate nearing the furlong pole, and drew off to win by two lengths.
The victory followed a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Alabama. Two starts back, I'm a Chatterbox won the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks by a nose over Curlaina but was disqualified to second for drifting out. In May, I'm a Chatterbox finished third in the Kentucky Oaks after dropping much farther back than usual.
After Saturday's race, Jones sought out jockey John Velazquez, who rode Curalina in the CCA Oaks, and jokingly asked him, "Are we okay today?"
Velazquez laughed and said, "You're good this time."
Following the Cotillion, trainer Larry Jones explained the importance of getting I'm a Chatterbox a Grade 1 win. I'm a Chatterbox, a daughter of Munnings and the Lost Soldier mare Chit Chatter, is owned and was bred by Fletcher and Carolyn Gray of Missouri.
"They own her mother," he said. "And they RNA'ed her brother out of the Keeneland sale. The $1 million purse is nice, but it's only the tip of the iceberg for them."
Jones said I'm a Chatterbox would be sent to Keeneland next week "to practice and get ready" for the Breeders' Cup Distaff on Oct. 30.
Calamity Kate went to the lead in the Cotillion with Alabama winner Embellish the Lace prompting her from the inside. Take Charge Brandi raced in third.
On the far turn I'm a Chatterbox advanced and the 39-1 longshot Don'tforgetaboutme launched a menacing wide move outside her. At the same time, Peace and War was rapidly advancing along the inside.
Nearing the stretch, Peace and War briefly had to await racing room. She found a way through but never really regained her lost momentum and finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Calamity Kate and a length in front of the fourth-place Eskenformoney.
I'm a Chatterbox paid $6.20 as the favorite in the 11-horse field. She was timed in 1:44.48 after splits of 23.45 seconds, 47.59, 1:12.21, and 1:37.89.
Embellish the Lace, the 5-2 second choice, weakened to finish fifth. Don'tforgetaboutme was eighth.
The Stonestreet Stables entry of Keen Pauline and Tara's Tango were ninth and 10th. Take Charge Brandi tired badly and was eased in the stretch.