For Immediate Release: Saturday, September 19, 2015
FROSTED EMPHATIC WINNER OF $1 MILLION PA DERBY I’m a Chatterbox Rolls Home in G1 Cotillion
For much of the racing season, a good looking grey colt named Frosted had tried time and again to beat Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, needless to say, without much success. With Pharoah absent from the G2 $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, Frosted had a rare opportunity to show just how good a race horse he is and he indeed took full advantage. Surging to the lead with a furlong to go, the big Tapit colt roared away from his eight rivals, in full stride coming to the wire, an emphatic two lengths in front.
Breaking from gate three, Frosted was not rushed away early on by jockey Joel Rosario. Into the first turn, he settled nicely into the fourth position, relaxed while saving ground. Mr. Z had cleared from his outside post and was, for the most part, allowed to stroll along through comfortable fractions, 24.22 and 48.50. Iron Fist (10-1) was prompting the pace from the outside heading to the far turn got first run at the leader. Taking the lead midway around the final turn, Iron Fist no longer had to contend with Mr. Z, but now Frosted was gathering his momentum, easing off the rail and moving into a contending position on the outside as they approached the top of the stretch. Iron Fist battled gamely through the stretch run but was simply no match for the classy Frosted. Upon reaching the lead, Frosted moved away with big, powerful strides and looked every bit the top three year-old he’s been all season. He streaked home a thoroughly convincing winner. Sporting the famous colors of worldwide powerhouse, Godolphin Racing and trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Frosted went off as the even money favorite and paid $4.00, 2.80 and 2.60. Iron Fist ran a tremendous race in defeat, eight lengths clear of the third horse and paid 6.80 and 5.20. Tommy Macho (15-1) out finished the rest for third and paid 7.00. The final time for the nine furlongs was 1:50.04.
Under a beautiful ride by jockey Florent Giroux, I’m a Chatterbox rallied for a clear cut win in the $1 million G1 Cotillion Stakes for three year-old fillies. Breaking from post seven in the eleven horse field, Giroux was able to neatly guide her to the inside and by the time they arrived at the first turn, she was fourth while saving ground. Staying patient down the backstretch, I’m a Chatterbox slowly improved her position while staying down on the inside part of the track. Up front, Calamity Kate (22-1) was off the rail setting the pace while getting inside pressure from G1 winner Embellish the Lace. The fractions were moderate, 23.56 for the first quarter with a half mile clocked in 47.59. Rounding the far turn, Giroux moved his filly to the outside and began to close in on the leaders. Calamity Kate proved a strong long shot, turning back Embellish the Lace and then tried to hold off the hard charging I’m a Chatterbox and they came down to the final eighth, but she was no match. I’m a Chatterbox took command as they came to mid-stretch and now the battle was strictly for second. She pulled away late and came under the wire a solid two lengths in front. Owned by Fletcher and Carolyn Grey and trained by Larry Jones, she went off as the 2-1 favorite and paid $6.20, 3.40 and 2.60. Calamity Kate held well for second and paid 18.80 and 8.20. Peace and War made a mild inside rally late to finish third and paid 4.00. The final time for the one mile and one-sixteenth was 1:44.48.
The $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes was won in dramatic fashion by Trouble Kid. Racing for local connections, owner Barbara Hopkins and trainer Ramon Preciado, Trouble Kid out sprinted his six rivals through the opening quarter mile, clocked in a sensational 21.32. Tracked by the strong 4-5 favorite, Limousine Liberal, Trouble Kid rounded the far turn and continued to blaze along with a two and a half-length lead with the half up in 44.31. Into the stretch still with a clear lead, Trouble Kid now had to deal with a host of late runners. Limousine Liberal made a charge on the outside, inside the last furlong, Bayerd was gaining late on the rail and Hebbronville rallied in the middle of the race track. Coming to the wire, though, it was clear that no one would get by and Trouble Kid valiantly held on for the win. Claimed by Preciado just two months ago for a mere $15,000, it was his third straight win since changing barns and by far, the biggest win of his career. Off at 13-1, Trouble Kid paid $28.40, 9.20 and 5.00. Limousine Liberal ran second and paid 2.60 and 2.20. Bayerd (13-1) was up for third and paid 5.00 to show. The six furlongs over a fast track went in 1:10.56.
Encryption rolled home a big winner in the first-ever running of the $150,000 Bayern Stakes. The 4 year-old Exchange Rate colt sat just off pacemaker Grasshoppin through the first three-quarters of a mile and then made a decisive move coming off the final turn. He quickly powered away from Grasshoppin and began pulling away with every stride, hitting the finish line just over six lengths in front. Racing for Stoneway Farm and trained by Kelly Breen, it was his first stakes victory and he did it style under jockey Paco Lopez. Off at 7-2 he paid $9.80 to win and covered the one mile and one-sixteenth in 1:44.34.
The $100,000 Alphabet Soup Handicap went to M-Z Racing Partnership’s Uncle Dave. The 5 year-old gelded son of Langfuhr was allowed to settle in on an easy lead and was just able to hold off the late charge of Beyond Smart to win by a head. Trained by Marcos Zulueta and ridden by Jorge Vargas, Jr., he went off as the second choice in the wagering at 2-1 and paid $6.00. The final time for the one mile and one-sixteenth over a firm turf course was 1:44.13.
