I'm a Chatterbox romps as odds-on choice in Spinster
LEXINGTON, Ky. – I’m a Chatterbox came through as the 2-5 favorite Sunday in easily winning the 61st running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland to stamp her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup.
With a perfect trip under Florent Geroux, I’m a Chatterbox put the 1 1/8-mile race away shortly after straightening for home, winning by seven lengths over Paid Up Subscriber. Genre was another five lengths back in third in a field of just five fillies and mares.
“I’ve waited a lot of years to win this race,” said Larry Jones, the Kentucky native who trains I’m a Chatterbox for owner-breeders Fletcher and Carolyn Gray. “It’s wonderful.”
I’m a Chatterbox returned $2.80 after finishing in 1:49.98 over a fast track.
Shown live on NBC Sports, the Spinster was marred by the breakdown of longshot Miss Pink Diva, who sustained a catastrophic left-hind injury upon entering the first turn. Trainer Buff Bradley confirmed afterward the 4-year-old filly had to be euthanized. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan was not injured.
I’m a Chatterbox, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred filly by Munnings, now has won 8 of 16 starts. She earned $325,000, lifting her bankroll to $2,209,614. It was her third Grade 1 victory, following the Cotillion in Sept. 2015 and the Delaware Handicap in July.
The Spinster is a Win and You’re In event toward the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where a formidable test awaits I’m a Chatterbox. Songbird, Stellar Wind, Beholder, Cavorting, and Forever Unbridled are among the others expected for the Nov. 4 Distaff at Santa Anita.
On another sun-splashed afternoon that attracted a crowd of 18,454, Paid Up Subscriber, the 3-1 second choice, grabbed the early lead from her rail post under Jose Ortiz and held a tenuous lead over I’m a Chatterbox through moderate fractions. But after six furlongs, when Geroux let I’m a Chatterbox loose, it was game over.
“The filly put me in a great position, exactly where I wanted to be,” said Geroux, who continues to enjoy a breakthrough year. “When she turned for home I was very impressed with her.”
The $2 exacta (3-1) paid $5.80 and the $1 trifecta (3-1-5) returned $4.
Racing resumes Wednesday at Keeneland after a two-day break.