‘We want the best there. Larry is not intimidated by any of them’

The following content, which concentrates on Kentucky-based horses and horsemen, is provided free for use by the media but is not part of the Breeders’ Cup’s official press material. Photo credits: Race shots are from Keeneland’s Juddmonte Spinster, credit Coady Photography. Larry Jones walking I’m a Chatterbox after training at Santa Anita is credit Mike Kane.

For immediate release

By Jennie Rees

ARCADIA, Calif. — In Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff that includes an unprecedented three champions, trainer Larry Jones observes that “whoever runs fifth or six is still a really good horse.”

The Jones-trained I’m a Chatterbox, mostly recently the seven-length winner of Keeneland’s $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster, is one of seven Grade 1 winners in the field of eight fillies and mares set to square off at Santa Anita Park. The Grade 1 exception is pretty salty: Land Over Sea, who is merely the winner of this year’s Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks.

Still, most of the focus rivets on the triumvirate of 2015 2-year-old champion Songbird, 3-year-old champ Stellar Wind and three-time Eclipse Award-winner Beholder. But I’m a Chatterbox, who last year swept New Orleans’ three preps for the Kentucky Oaks, has had a big 2016 in her own right, her three wins in five starts also including Delaware Park’s Grade 1 Delaware Handicap and the $100,000 Obeah.

I’m a Chatterbox will start from post 7 under Florent Geroux, who is 3 for 6 in Breeders’ Cup races. She’s 12-1 in the line, with 11-for-11 Songbird the 6-5 favorite and Stellar Wind and Beholder both 5-2 .

“We all know it’s deep water going in,” said Jones, the Hopkinsville, Ky., native who spends winters at New Orleans’ Fair Grounds and much of the rest of the year at Delaware Park, with Keeneland in between. “But I’m happy. I liked the post position. My filly is not a one-trick pony. She has speed. She can go to the front. She can stalk. She’s come from dead-last before and still won. We’re on the outside just enough that we can watch it for just a little while and decide the plan we need from there.”

Still, he said, “The problem with these horses is if you let them in front of you, you might never catch them. And if you get in front, it’s hard to stay in front.”

Chatterbox came into last year’s Distaff off a two-length triumph in Philadelphia’s Grade 1 Cotillion, the Breeders’ Cup being her eighth start of the year as she contested almost all the important races for 3-year-old fillies. After breaking from the rail in the Distaff at Keeneland, she was mired in traffic and wound up eighth, although beaten less than seven lengths to victorious Stopchargingmaria, with Stellar Wind a neck back in second and 2015 Distaff entrant Curalina third.

If I’m a Chatterbox’s recent Spinster romp came against an overmatched field of five, her camp thinks a relatively easy performance is an advantage before she’s asked to run the race of her life.

“The scheduling of the races this year was just about right for her,” said Carolyn Gray, who bred and owns I’m a Chatterbox with husband Fletcher. “She’s been able to handle it well. We were talking to ‘Flo’ and I think everybody agrees that if she hadn’t been in all that traffic last year, maybe she wouldn’t have won but gotten a piece of it. The Spinster set her up so well for the Breeders’ Cup this year because it wasn’t a super hard race on her but it was enough that she got a good base for this race.

“… She’s very sweet. But she’s gotten much more aggressive this year – self confidence probably. It’s like she knows she’s beaten a lot of horses. They know when they win. In New York (a close fourth in Saratoga’s Personal Ensign), she knew when she lost and she was mad and threw a fit. After the Spinster, she was so proud. It’s just different, her demeanor.”

Jones said Chatterbox is “bigger and stronger” but the biggest difference is she is more relaxed. “She was pretty wound-up as a young horse,” he said. “We know 4-year-olds are supposed to be better than at 3, but she’s followed that form and every race just keeps getting better. She’s still on the improve, so hopefully we’re up for a big one.”

I’m a Chatterbox and Stellar Wind have finished in front of each other once on the track: the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Oaks, in which Chatterbox was third to Stellar Wind’s fourth. Stellar Wind, however, is 1-and-0 off track, beating out I’m a Chatterbox for the 3-year-old filly championship.

The Grays are happy to see Stellar Wind in the Distaff, not for a shot at revenge but, as Fletcher said, “We want the best there. I leave it all up to Larry, and Larry is not intimidated by any of them. We’re going to have some long odds; the three California horses are going to dominate the public. But that’s OK. Chatterbox can’t read the form.”

Jones also trains for third-generation Delaware automobile magnate Rick Porter’s Foxhole Farms, owner of Songbird, who faces older fillies and mares for the first time in the 1 1/8-mile Distaff.

“I’ve never run against a horse probably like Beholder or Songbird,” Jones said. “Being a Foxhill horse, I’ve watched Songbird all of her career and think they just have maybe one of the best fillies that ever wore a pair of shoes.”

Jennie Rees is a racing communications specialist from Louisville. Her Breeders’ Cup coverage, which concentrates on the Kentucky horses, is provided free to media as a service by Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park, the Kentucky HBPA and JockeyTalk360.com.

Purple Aces team up with several local entities

 The University of Evansville Athletics Department is teaming up with the Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh Country Sheriff’s Office, G.D. Ritzy’s, Vectren Corporation and Toyota Indiana to start a program called “You’ve Been Ticketed”.

“You’ve Been Ticketed” will see police officers and sheriff’s deputies in the Evansville area giving out “tickets” to local youth as a reward for exhibiting good behavior, displaying a positive attitude and making right choices.  This program is an important way for youth and law enforcement to strengthen their relationship in a unique and lasting way.

“The Purple Aces are excited to team up with such a great group of agencies and businesses to start the “You’ve Been Ticketed” program,” UE Director of Revenue Development John Rodgers said.  “We know that this will be a big positive for the Evansville community while rewarding our local kids for their good behavior.”

Each “ticket” is good for a free single scoop of ice cream at G.D. Ritzy’s as well as one free youth and adult admission to any Purple Aces home athletic contest throughout the year.  The Aces athletic tickets are courtesy of Vectren Corporation and Toyota Indiana.  Tickets will be issued to kids beginning in early November.

“I am excited to be a part of a program that puts a positive spin between the youth in our community and law enforcement,” Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding said.  “As a community leader, I love to see this type of interaction and know it will be a great program.”

Evansville Police Chief Billy Bolin echoed those sentiments.

“I think this is a great way for law enforcement agencies to partner up and provide a positive experience for children in our community,” Bolin said.  “This program will also help us to build a relationship with our youth, which is extremely important.”

Media sponsors in Evansville have graciously donated airtime for a public service announcement to promote the initiative.  Townsquare Radio stations 99.5 WKDQ, 103 GBF and 106.1 KISS FM will broadcast radio commercials while WEHT and WTVW TV will also televise commercials promoting the cause.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

“This program brings our youth and police and sheriffs together in a positive way that will result in good relationships and experiences.  Thank you for letting us be a part of this community event!” – Dan Grunow – Owner – G.D. Ritzy’s

“This campaign is a unique way to communicate to children and teens the value of doing the right thing and helping others.  Too often we focus on the negative.  “You’ve Been Ticketed” emphasizes the positive!” – Gary Jossa – Select Media (Advertising agency for G.D. Ritzy’s)

“We’ve developed a strong and beneficial relationship with Chief Bolin over the years through our partnership with 911 Gives Hope, which made the decision to jump on board with the You’ve Been Ticketed Program an easy one. Much like Chief Bolin, Townsquare Media is passionate about the success of the Evansville community, and that certainly starts with the young people who we hope to see become future leaders in the area, and take pride in their hometown. We believe the potential impact of the You’ve Been Ticketed Program will not only be beneficial to the students themselves by showing them the value in making good decisions, but to the community has a whole for many years to come. We appreciate Chief Bolin, the Choose Not to Lose Program, and the University of Evansville for allowing us to be a small part of it.” – Ryan O’Bryan – Brand Manager – Townsquare Media

“This program will have a positive influence on a young person’s life on several levels.  It reinforces good behavior while strengthening police and community relations, and it provides a bonding opportunity for the child and parent.  We at Toyota are proud to partner in this program.” - Toyota Indiana spokeswoman Karen Johnston

“As we remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our customer base, Vectren is proud to partner with the Evansville Police Department, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Toyota and the Aces on efforts to strengthen the relationship between youth and law enforcement in Evansville,” said Brad Ellsworth, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana South. “The “You’ve Been Ticketed” program will help to recognize positive behaviors exhibited by the young people in our community and encourage others to follow suit.” – Brad Ellsworth – President of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana South

 

University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball team battled NCAA Division I 15^th-ranked Purdue University, but lost an 85-63 decision Tuesday evening in West Lafayette, Indiana. USI starts the 2016-17 regular season November 12-13 when it plays in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge in Indianapolis, Indiana, and hosted by the University of Indianapolis.

The GLVC/GLIAC Challenge features the Screaming Eagles against Lake Erie College November 12 at noon (CST) and Ashland University November 13 at 1:15 p.m. (CST).

USI started the exhibition game with a bang, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Purdue, however, responded with a 12-0 run to take command of the game and building a 24-point lead, 42-18. The Eagles seemed to wake up in the last three minutes of the half, going on a 13-5 run to cut the deficit to 47-31at the intermission.

Eagles’ senior guard Bobo Drummond (Peoria, Illinois) led the team in the opening half with 11 points, scoring nine points during USI’s 13-5 run to end the half.

In the second half, USI came out of the locker room just as hot as it ended the opening half and cut the deficit to 10 points, 50-40, with 16:12 to play. This would be as close as the Eagles would get the rest of the way before falling 85-63.

Drummond would add six points in the second half and finish with a team-high 17 points, while senior guard Jeril Taylor (Louisville, Kentucky) followed with 16 points. Junior forward DayJar Dickson (Washington, D.C.) paced the Eagles on the glass with nine rebounds.

USI, as a team, won the battle of the boards, 37-34, while shooting 42.9 percent from the field (24-56) and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc (5-16). The Eagles hit 52.6 percent from the charity stripe (10-19) in the first game of the year.

The USI-Purdue exhibition replay can be seen Wednesday at noon (CST) on the Big Ten Network.