1. I’m a Chatterbox Wins Controversial Running of the Delaware Handicap
Larry Jones’ I’m a Chatterbox landed herself another impressive win in the July 16 Delaware
Handicap, but despite the decisive win, the victory is not without controversy.
At the start of the race I’m a Chatterbox, who broke from post position four, ducked in sharply.
In doing so, she impeded the three-horse (Milaya), which cause a chain reaction that affected
second betting choice Paid Up Subscriber.
The scene was not a pretty one and put all involved behind the eight ball, including I’m a
Chatterbox.
Despite the hairy beginning, Paid Up Subscriber and I’m a Chatterbox managed to recover
before the first quarter was complete. After the first call, I’ma Chatterbox was second, just a
head off the leader, while Paid Up Subscriber sat a comfortable fourth, just two and a half
lengths behind.
The other two mares involved in the starting gate fiasco never managed to recover. Milaya
finished second to last, beaten 21 lengths, while Money’soncharlotte finished sixth and last,
beaten by 25 lengths.
In the end, I’m a Chatterbox won by a decisive 2 ¼ lengths from Paid Up Subscriber. She left
little doubt that she was the best filly in the race. However, due to the chain reaction she
caused at the start of the race, there are still those who question the stewards’ decision to
leave her up, instead of disqualifying her.
Al Stall, trainer of Paid Up Subscriber, wasn’t pleased with the lack of action taken by the
officials.
“I always thought the race begins out of the starting gate. [Paid Up Subscriber’s] rear end got
knocked out from underneath her and it was clearly started by the number four horse [I’m a
Chatterbox].”
Winning trainer Larry Jones was more diplomatic about the incident.
“It did look like the one-horse [Paid Up Subscriber] was trying to come out a little as well. It
was not pretty a start. It reminded me of the [2014] Breeders’ Cup Classic.”
Jones noted that his filly also had to overcome adversity due to the less than stellar beginning.
“We were down in and behind horses too. With as much as she won by, I think it was pretty
decisive victory and she was much the best,” he said.

2. What really left some people reeling was the fact that the Delaware Park officials weren’t even
going to lodge a stewards inquiry. They only got involved after Ricardo Santana, rider of Paid Up
Subscriber, lodged an objection.
“He [Santana] didn’t even know who hit him, because he was on the one and couldn’t see all
the way over to the four,” said Stall. “He thought the two or the three did it to him. I told him,
‘nah, it looked like the four to me.’ He didn’t realize it was a domino effect.”
After reviewing the tapes and listening to both riders, the decision was made to let the results
of the race stand.
John Wayne, the executive director of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission later
released a statement on behalf of the stewards, explaining their decision.
“[The stewards] said the 4-horse came in, had bumps with the 3 and the 2, which in turn
bumped the no. 1. After the bump, the no. 4 lost ground as much as anyone else and was four
lengths behind the 1 after the bump. They thought that the bump and the fact that the 4-horse
was four lengths behind the 1, it didn’t cost the 1-horse a placing. And the 1-horse never lost
stride for the rest of the race,” explained Wayne.
What they say is true: I’m a Chatterbox (no.4) did lose quite a bit of ground after the break. Paid
Up Subscriber (no. 1) never broke stride after the incident and was not likely cost a placing.
However, that isn’t what many people are looking at.
Al Stall agrees that the winner had to overcome trouble, but notes that all trouble was “self-
inflicted” while his charge’s trouble came at the hands of I’m a Chatterbox.
Quotes from the race chart are as follows:
I’m a Chatterbox: Crowded foes start, driving. Bobbled at the start then ducked in crowding
rivals.
Paid Up Subscriber: Bumped off stride start. Was bumped off stride after the start, recovered to
race within easy striking distance and finished gamely.
Milaya: Bumped start, crowded. Bumped with the winner at the start then was crowded inward
soon after.
Money’soncharlotte: Roughed start. Was roughed after the start, raced close up to the far turn
then tired.
From the looks of things, I’m a Chatterbox was clearly the best in the field. The incident she
caused affected her negatively, as it did others, but she was able to overcome it. However, the

3. fact remains that she did cause the incident and, in doing so, may have ruined the chance of a
higher placing for two other horses.
Does being the decisive winner mean that she should get to keep her winning status? Or,
should a foul be a foul, no matter how good the winner is?
Saratoga ‘Graveyard’ Myth: Fact Or Fiction?
Friday, July 22, 2016, represents the time that thoroughbred racing fans around the country
long for: opening day at old, historic, Saratoga Racecourse.
Saratoga is known as the place to unveil talented juveniles. It is known as Todd Pletcher’s
stomping ground. It is known as the place the crème de le crème gathers and champions are
crowned.
Above all else, however, Saratoga is known as the “Graveyard of Champions” and the
“Graveyard of Favorites.”
The daunting reputation of Saratoga stems all the way back to 1919, when the mighty Man o’
War met defeat for the first and only time, at the hands of Upset, over the Saratoga strip. Since
that time, Saratoga has claimed many more heroes, including three of the last four Triple Crown
winners.
These horses are the reason that many believe in the “curse” that befalls favorites that run over
the historic oval. They are the reason so many believe that a champion, unbeatable anywhere
else, will taste defeat at this track. But are these beliefs legitimate?
Trainer Bob Baffert, who engineered the campaign of last year’s Triple Crown winner American
Pharoah, a horse that fell victim to Saratoga’s so-called curse, says “no.”
“It’s a myth,” Baffert said. “Good horses got beat there probably because they were coming off
of big efforts and may have been flat.
“Pharoah was just flat [Travers] day. Lots of shipping and running caught up to him.”
Is Baffert right?
Rick Porter sure hopes so, as he ships his unbeaten and unchallenged champion filly Songbird in
from the West Coast. Should Porter be worried about curses that supposedly plague the
favorites and champions running at Saratoga? Let’s see what history and statistics have to say.

4. First, let’s start with the belief that Saratoga is the “Graveyard of Favorites.” You would think
that if there would be a time for a favorite to fail, it would be in a Grade I, where they are
surrounded by the best competition they have likely seen all year.
Here is a table that shows how the betting favorites fared in some of Saratoga’s longest
standing and prestigious Grade I races from 2006-2015:
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006
Diana Stakes 5th 8th Last 1st 7th 3rd 1st 7th 3rd 5th
CCA Oaks Stakes 1st 1st Last 3rd 2nd 1st
Whitney Invitational 3rd 6th 5th 2nd 1st 2nd Last 7th 6th 7th
Alfred Vanderbilt 1st 2nd 2nd Last 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
Test Stakes 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 8th 3rd 1st 1st Last
Alabama Stakes 3rd 1st 1st 5th 2nd 4th 2nd 2nd 5th 1st
Sword Dancer 1st 1st 8th 1st 5th 5th 5th 5th 2nd 5th
Travers Stakes 2nd Last 7th 1st 1st 9th 3rd 3rd 1st 1st
The Ballerina 6th 2nd 2nd 1st Last 6th 2nd 3rd 6th 1st
Forego Handicap 1st 8th 3rd 1st 8th 3rd 2nd 6th 8th 10th
The Personal Ensign 4th 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st
King’s Bishop 3rd 3rd 4th 6th 2nd 1st 3rd 6th 1st 1st
Woodward Stakes 1st 2nd Last 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 3rd
Spinaway Stakes 1st 3rd 4th 3rd 2nd 3rd 1st 1st 1st 2nd
Hopeful Stakes 2nd 1st 9th 2nd 1st 1st 1st 3rd 2nd 1st
As a general rule, favorites make it to the winner’s circle about 1/3 of the time. Yet, in some of
the best Grade I races in the country run at Saratoga, favorites have won 57 times in 146 tries
since 2006, which equates to nearly 40 percent. So, it would seem that, at least over the last
decade, Saratoga is actually kinder to betting favorites, debunking the “Graveyard of Favorites”
curse.
Editor’s Note: For the entire meet last year, favorites won at a 30 percent rate, including nearly
40 percent in dirt sprints.
While there seems to be no curse on favorites, it’s true that history has not been very kind to
champions over the last 10 years.
Over the past decade (2006-2015) there have been 20 horse to take home an Eclipse Award
before making a trip to Saratoga. Some had won over the oval before, while others were trying
it out for the first time. Only five of those champions managed to walk away from “The
Graveyard” completely unscathed, meaning that Saratoga has claimed a jaw dropping 75
percent of its champion victims.
Two of the most recent and high-profile champions to fall victim to this curse are American
Pharoah and the great Rachel Alexandra.

5. American Pharoah was crowned the 2014 Eclipse Champion Juvenile Colt before becoming a
Triple Crown champion in 2015. Rachel Alexandra “raised the rafters” at the Spa in her Horse of
the Year-winning season in 2009, but, the very next year, she tasted the bitterness of defeat in
the Personal Ensign Stakes.
Could these instances be coincidence? After all, it is easy to argue that American Pharoah lost
to fatigue, not a curse. Just like it is easy to argue that Rachel Alexandra wasn’t the same horse
in 2010 as the one who made so much history in 2009. But still, the chilling statistic of 75
percent of Eclipse champions tasting defeat still remains — and it is hard to ignore.
Something to think about as the clock ticks down to opening weekend at Saratoga, where
Songbird, another champion, will attempt to defeat the “curse.”
The Countdown Begins: American Cleopatra’s Debut ‘Five Weeks Away’
It has been just over a month since American Cleopatra, full sister to Triple Crown Champion,
American Pharoah walked into Bob Baffert’s barn.
Since that time she has breezed three times, once going three furlongs in :35.60 and twice
going half a mile, recording times of :47.80 and :48.60 respectively.
According to Bob Baffert, despite the swift times of the works and their regularity, American
Cleopatra is still behind schedule. “She’s a little behind right now. She’s just immature.”
Immaturity could be a family trait as American Pharoah had issues of his own when he was just
starting out. Remember, American Pharoah was very alert to sounds and was easily distracted
by them. In his debut he finished a non-threatening fifth, which led to Baffert putting cotton in
his ears to drown out all of the distracting sounds.
Another family trait is the sweet temperament.
During his career, American Pharoah was likened to a family pet by his connections. He was as
sweet as a thoroughbred, or any breed of horse for that matter, could be. American Cleopatra,
according to Baffert, has the same sweet temperament and love for attention.
“She is like her brother, she’s a sweetheart”, said Baffert.
Interestingly enough, while American Pharoah and American Cleopatra are similar in how they
act while on the track, they are not the same.
Baffert described American Pharoah as “aggressive” and “wanting to run off” during his works.
American Cleopatra, on the other hand, while wanting and willing, is more agreeable.

6. “She wants to be aggressive, but she’s more controllable,” noted Baffert on how the filly works
in the mornings.
Despite all that they have learned about her and her personality, Baffert still remains cautious.
“Jury is still out, but we’ll start getting serious with her works the next couple weeks. That is
when we will know more,” he said.
The good news is, despite the fact that the serious preparations have yet to begin and despite
being behind schedule, American Cleopatra could make it to the starting gate sooner than
anticipated. According to Baffert, American Cleopatra could be ready to make her eagerly
awaited debut in the next five weeks.
“If all goes well, [American Cleopatra’s two-year-old debut] is five weeks away,” said a cautious
Baffert.
Now that we have a timeframe, the countdown to the debut of American Pharoah’s little sister
can commence. Will she be able to follow in her big brother’s very large hoof prints? Will she be
able to live up to all of the hype?
In a little over a month, we could very well find out.
Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Workout Report #3
Holy mother of work clusters!
April 29 was described as having a “flurry” of Kentucky Derby workers, but I’d say it was more
of a blizzard. Among the many, many workers, were Suddenbreakingnews, Outwork and
Mohaymen. All of them worked impressively, but I would have to give work of the day to
Outwork…..
Pugh Plots Rebel From Start To Finish
BY LAURA D. PUGH
The Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park has been one of the most competitive and productive
Kentucky Derby preps in recent years, and 2016 looks like it will be no different with an
imposing field of 14 set to face the starter and ready to prove that they are worthy to continue
down the Triple Crown trail.
Suddenbreakingnews and Whitmore, the Southwest Stakes winner and runner-up, respectively,
lead the returnees from that race. Whitmore will be looking to gain the measure of
Suddenbreakingnews after that foe swept by him in deep stretch, to take the Southwest from

7. under his nose. Suddenbreakingnews will be out to prove that his sudden rush into the winner’s
circle was a legitimate win, and not a flash in the pan. However, both will be facing several new
challengers. Will they be able to step up against these new horses? Look in my crystal ball and
you will see if they are, indeed, up to the challenge!
Those two foes both came from the back of the back in the Southwest, but what happens up
front in the Rebel will be just as interesting. As the horses come away from the gate a rapid
pace will begin to unfold, as Ralis, Siding Spring, and Madtap vie for the early lead. They will be
closely followed by the Bob Baffert shipper, Cupid, Pikes Shirl, American Dubai, and Gray Sky.
The next flight will include Z Royal, Cutacorner, and Whitmore. Cherry Wine will be just off of
them, with Creator and Suddenbreakingnews bringing up the rear of the field.
With so much speed, we can expect a solid early pace. The first quarter will go in 23 seconds,
with the half being run at a similar pace, clocking in 46 and change. Here is where the cheaper
speed, Ralis and Siding Sprng, will begin to fade. As they lose momentum Cupid will move up to
keep Madtap busy through six furlongs in 1.12 and change.
With just over a quarter mile left, the closers will be revving up, while Madtap and Cupid begin
to grow leg weary. It will be at this point that Whitmore surges to take the lead, as the field
enters the stretch. This will also be when Cherry Wine and Suddenbreakingnews start to find
their best strides, and begin to steadily advance on the leaders.
Through the stretch, Whitmore will quickly build a good sized lead, but Cherry Wine and
Suddenbreakingnews will start cutting into the margin with alarming speed, gobbling up ground
with their tremendously long strides. In the final 1/16th of a mile, Suddenbreakingnews will
break away from Cherry Wine, and take aim at Whitmore.
As they close in on the wire, Suddenbreakingnews’ turn of foot will be prove too much for
Whitmore to withstand. Suddenbreakingnews will surge to the lead to take the Rebel by two or
so lengths, over a game Whitmore, as Cherry Wine runs on for third. The final time will be a
snappy 1.43 flat, for what will be a very exciting Rebel Stakes.
Justin Zayat on American Pharoah's Future & Legacy
by LAURA PUGH (Jamie Newell photo)
Forget wanting to know who will win the Whitney Stakes or next year’s Kentucky Derby, the
hottest question in racing right now is where will Triple Crown champion American Pharoah
race next?

8. The quest to be the first with an answer sent the Turf media into a frenzy this week as everyone
attempted to twist owner Ahmed Zayat’s words on At the Races with Steve Byk into a
commitment to run in the Travers Stakes on August 28 at Saratoga Race Course.
But no such commitment exists. Zayat has only said that he would like to see American Pharoah
in the Travers but that Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has the final say.
“It all happened when my dad went on the Steve Byk show where he was talking about his
desires,” said Zayat Stables Racing Manager Justin Zayat. “I mean, he wants to run in the
Travers—not that the horse was officially running in the Travers.”
Justin Zayat mentioned the Pacific Classicon August 22 at Del Mar and a new race at
Monmouth as potential other targets (see below for all audio from Laura's interview with
Justin).
“The Travers is obviously the big one on the radar and way out there is the Pacific Classic, which
is the least of the possibilities,” Justin Zayat said. “Monmouth themselves offered to write us a
race; whenever we’re ready to race, just tell them.”
Baffert has completed the Haskell-Travers double before, completing the sweep in 2001 with
eventual Horse of the Year Point Given. The following year dual classic winner War Emblem
won the Haskell but was off the board as the favorite in the Pacific Classic. Still, Baffert’s record
in the Travers (Last year, Haskell winner Bayern finished last in the Travers) has been
mentioned as a reason American Pharoah would not contest that race.
“If I know Bob Baffert, that is not a reason to not run in the [Travers],” Justin Zayat said. “He
was the last one to do the sweep of the Haskell and Travers; if anyone is going to be able to do
it again, it’s Bob.”
Even with all the short-term possibilities, the Zayats have the Breeders’ Cup Classic on October
31 at Keeneland Race Course as the long-term goal to complete their champion’s career.
“I want people to leave with the thought of, ‘Wow, American Pharoah actually brought back the
Sport of Kings,” Justin Zayat said. “I want people my age [23] to be like, ‘This is why I started to
watch horse racing.’ That’s the kind of legacy I want him to leave.”
That legacy is certainly building considering American Pharoah has attracted record crowds at
three of his last four races, including 60,900 for the Haskell on August 2 at Monmouth Park.
Only six other race days have attracted more than 60,000 fans this century in horse racing:
Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Belmont, Arkansas Derby, and Breeders’ Cup.
And anticipation for his next race has already reached a fevered pitch. American Pharoah is a
rock star and he and his connections know it.