Carolyn and Fletcher Gray's I'm a Chatterbox, one of the top 3-year-old fillies of 2015, will take the next step toward the Delaware Handicap (gr. I) in the June 11 Obeah Stakes (gr. III) at Delaware Park.
Trained by Larry Jones, who as usual is based at Delaware Park for the summer, I'm a Chatterbox finished second in her 2016 debut in the April 22 Doubledogdare Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland. The Obeah, for fillies and mares, is run at 1 1/8 miles, while the Del Cap distance is 1 1/4 miles.
I'm a Chatterbox, bred in Kentucky by the Grays, is by Munnings out of the Lost Soldier mare Chit Chatter. She has earned $1,324,614 in 12 starts; last year she won the grade I Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing.
"Right now, the Delaware Handicap is our number one goal," Jones told Delaware Park media officials. "Hopefully, the Obeah and the Delaware Handicap will set her up for some of the big races at Saratoga later on, but right now, the Delaware Handicap remains our number one priority."
Jones said he and the Grays considered the June 11 Ogden Phipps (gr. I) at Belmont Park for I'm a Chatterbox but she missed a workout because of a sprained ankle about one month ago.
"(The Obeah) fell into a great spot for a backup plan, plus we get a trip over the track before the Delaware Handicap," he said. "I like that side of it. Havre de Grace did win this race the year she was Horse of the Year and before the Delaware Handicap."
I'm a Chatterbox trained at Delaware Park last year but never raced there.
Delaware Park, Saturday, June 11, 2016, Race 8Entries: Obeah H.
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Calamity Kate (KY) Trevor McCarthy 118 Kelly J. Breen 3/1 2 2Savings Account (KY) Brian Pedroza 120 Thomas F. Proctor 8/1 3 3I'm a Chatterbox (KY) Gabriel Saez 118 J. Larry Jones 3/5 4 4Royal Jewely (FL) Erick D. Rodriguez 118 Gerald S. Bennett 15/1 5 5Genre (KY) Carol Cedeno 120 Todd A. Pletcher 4/1
