Jones Girls Form 1-2 Punch in Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks

Category :: News

After saddling Kentucky Oaks winners in 2008 with Proud Spell and 2012 with Believe You Can, trainer Larry Jones will command attention from bettors with his potent one-two punch of I’m a Chatterbox and Lovely Maria as they make their final preparations for the May 1 race at Churchill Downs.

I'm A Chatterbox has been nothing short of sensational in 2015, sweeping a trio of Fair Grounds prep races in dominant fashion. The daughter of Munnings won the Silverbulletday Stakes in January by 8 lengths and followed that score with a 2 ½ length tally in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes February 21. In her final tune-up for the Kentucky Oaks, the chestnut filly was all business winning the Fair Grounds Oaks by 2 ½ lengths under confident handling from regular rider FlorentGeroux. In the three races at Fair Grounds, I’m A Chatterbox showed great versatility winning from on the lead, from far back, and from just off the pace while breaking from the far inside post position in the Silverbulletday and far outside post position in the Rachel Alexandra.

Stablemate is no slouch

I’m A Chatterbox defeated Lovely Maria by 2 ½ lengths in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and was then flattered by her stablemate who returned to win the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes by 3 ¼ lengths April 4 at Keeneland. Lovely Maria, a daughter of Majesticperfection has won 3 of 7 career starts possesses excellent tactical speed like I’m A Chatterbox.

Lively Works hint at readiness

Both fillies posted solid workout Sunday, April 26 at Churchill Downs with I’m A Chatterbox working 1:01 for five furlongs and Lovely Maria covering the same distance in 59 3/5 seconds.