I’m a Chatterbox Coasts in Cotillion, Distaff Next

I'm a Chatterbox surged clear in the stretch at Parx Racing to a convincing victory in the Grade 1, $1-million Cotillion Stakes on Saturday. (Photo by Barbara Weidl/EQUI-Photo)
After finishing first in a Grade 1 race in July but losing the victory to a disqualification and subsequently finishing second in another Grade 1, I’m a Chatterbox emphatically scored a breakthrough win in the $1-million Cotillion Stakes on Saturday at Parx Racing.
I’m a Chatterbox has been one of the finest 3-year-old fillies in the U.S. for much of the year, but until the Cotillion she had never won a Grade 1 race, a classification reserved for the very best races in the country.
She started out 2015 with three straight stakes wins at Fair Grounds by a combined margin of 15 lengths, including a dominant victory in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks. After a solid third-place finish in the $1-million, Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, I’m a Chatterbox looked like she had her Grade 1 win at Saratoga Race Course in the Coaching Club American Oaks when she crossed the finish line a nose in front of Curalina, however, she was disqualified for interfering with that rival in the stretch run.
I’m a Chatterbox then finished 1 ¼ lengths behind Embellish the Lace in the Alabama Stakes, also at Saratoga, but she turned the tables on that familiar foe in the Cotillion and made sure there was absolutely no doubt which filly was best.
Jockey Florent Geroux positioned the chestnut filly by Munnings in fourth early while saving ground as Calamity Kate outsprinted Embellish the Lace for the early lead.
Calamity Kate put away Embellish the Lace on the final turn in the 1 1/16-mile Cotillion, but Geroux had encouraged I’m a Chatterbox to advance into a clear striking position on the leader’s outside. Once I’m a Chatterbox found her best stride in the stretch, the Cotillion victory was hers.
She accelerated willingly to take command and powered away to win by two lengths in 1:44.48 as the 2.10-to-1 favorite for trainer Larry Jones. She improved to five wins, two seconds and two thirds in 10 starts and the $564,000 winner’s share of the Cotillion purse boosted her career bankroll to $1,304,614 for owners-breeders Fletcher and Carolyn Gray.
I’m a Chatterbox cemented her credentials as a leading contender for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 30 at Keeneland Race Course. With two-time champion Beholder reportedly targeting the Breeders’ Cup Classic, I’m a Chatterbox could vie for favoritism in the Distaff and she also is in the thick of the race for the Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old filly.
Calamity Kate held off Grade 1 winner Peace and War by 2 ¼ lengths for second in the Cotillion, while Embellish the Lace faded to fifth.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
I'M A CHATTERBOX DOMINATED THE OPPOSITION IN COTILLION

Photo by Bill Denver/EQUI-Photo