Kilderry, Dixie Chatter win at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif.-Kilderry and Dixie Chatter won divisions of the Oceanside Stakes on Wednesday's opening day program at Del Mar.

Dixie Chatter, best known for winning the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes last September, won his first start on turf in the $86,800 second division of the Oceanside.

Ridden by Richard Migliore, Dixie Chatter ($15) survived an inquiry and an objection regarding the stretch run. Racing on the inside, Dixie Chatter drifted out, while Mr Keppel drifted in from the outside, causing Liberian Freighter to take up near the wire. The stewards inquired into Dixie Chatter's path through the stretch, while David Flores, who rode Liberian Freighter, claimed foul against Isaias Enriquez, who rode Mr Keppel. The order of finish was not altered.

Dixie Chatter ran a mile on turf in 1:35.81, finishing in front of Mr Keppel. Liberian Freighter finished third.

Dixie Chatter ended a two-race losing streak in the Oceanside, which was restricted to non-winners of a $50,000 first-place purse in a stakes in 2008.

Kilderry won the $86,300 first division by a nose over an unlucky Moral Compass, who squeezed past traffic on the rail on the final turn to just miss catching Kilderry, who rallied wide from sixth. Kilderry, who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, ran a mile on turf in 1:35.45. Jungle Wave, who set the pace, finished third in the field of nine.

Kilderry ($12.60) won his first stakes in the Oceanside. Claimed for $100,000 in April by a partnership and trainer Mike Mitchell, Kilderry has since won three of his last four starts, all on turf.