Jones makes plans for top fillies

Larry Jones is beginning to finalize plans for his strong contingent of 3-year-old fillies.

On Monday, he said I’m a Chatterbox was probable for the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, a 1 1/8-mile race at Saratoga on July 26, and that Lovely Maria was likely for the Grade 3, $300,000 Delaware Oaks at 1 1/16 miles on July 11.

I’m a Chatterbox swept the 3-year-old filly series at Fair Grounds last winter – the Oaks, Rachel Alexandra, and Silverbulletday – before finishing third last out in the Kentucky Oaks.

Lovely Maria has won the Kentucky Oaks and Ashland since finishing second to I’m a Chatterbox in the Rachel Alexandra.

Jones, who is based at Delaware Park, said he might also run recent Delaware stakes winner White Clover in the Delaware Oaks.

Injury-plagued Normandy Invasion is getting close to a comeback race. Normandy Invasion, who finished second in the 2013 Wood Memorial, has only raced three times since finishing fourth in that year’s Kentucky Derby. He was transferred to Jones after finishing 10th in the Met Mile last June, his most recent start.

Normandy Invasion fractured a sesamoid last September. Jones has worked him seven times since April 19, including a mile in 1:38.60 on Monday. Jones said he does not have any definite plans for Normandy Invasion, who is 2 for 9 in his career with earnings of $504,000.