I’m a Chatterbox survives objection for Delaware Handicap score

Carolyn and Fletcher Gray’s homebred I’m a Chatterbox took a left-hand turn out of the gate in Saturday’s $750,125 Delaware Handicap (G1) and nearly took out her three inside rivals, including second choice Paid Up Subscriber who stumbled badly.

The chestnut filly eventually crossed under the wire 2 1/4 lengths in front of that foe but then had to survive an objection lodged by Paid Up Subscriber’s rider, Ricardo Santana Jr., before being able to claim her second Grade 1 victory.

I’m a Chatterbox bobbled badly at the start and then ducked in, forcing Milaya into Money’soncharlotte who in turn hit Paid Up Subscriber, causing her to lose her footing. Meanwhile Mei Ling, who broke outside of I’m a Chatterbox, took full advantage of the melee to grab command and set the early pace through splits of :23.73, :47.72 and 1:12.82.

I’m a Chatterbox and the others had found their footing by this point, with the 3-5 favorite moving up to press the leader on the backstretch. The Larry Jones trainee collared Mei Ling and proceeded to draw off, finishing 1 1/4 miles over the fast dirt at Delaware Park in 2:02.64.

Paid Up Subscriber recovered following her bumpy start and slowly but surely made up ground throughout the race. The near 2-1 second favorite was no match for the winner but easily took the runner-up spot by 4 1/4 lengths over Penwith, who just stuck her nose in front of Mei Line on the line.

Soon after the race was completed, Santana lodged his objection against I’m a Chatterbox and jockey Florent Geroux for interference at the start. The objection was not allowed following a stewards inquiry.

The Munnings filly paid $3.20 for the win, her second Grade 1 score after taking the Cotillion Stakes (G1) last year during her sophomore campaign. She also captured the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G3) and Silverbulletday Stakes en route to running third in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Following the 2015 Kentucky Oaks, I’m a Chatterbox gutted out a nose decision in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) but was disqualified to second in that contest. She was runner-up next out in the Alabama Stakes (G1) before taking the Cotillion and rounding out the year with only the second unplaced finish of her career when eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

I’m a Chatterbox opened 2016 with a second in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) during Keeneland’s April meet and romped by 8 1/2 lengths in the Obeah Handicap on June 11 at Delaware Park to ready for Saturday’s Del ‘Cap. Now boasting a 7-3-2 mark from 15 career starts, she’s earned $1,834,614 lifetime.

The Kentucky-bred filly is out of the multiple stakes-placed Lost Soldier mare Chit Chatter, making her a half-sister to the stakes-placed duo of Pegasus Again and Lady Bear.

I’m a Chatterbox screenshot photo