Coming off bench for new trainer, Chatalas wins Indiana Oaks

Coming off a break of more than six months and making the
first start for her new trainer, Chatalas emerged from a duel with another long
shot to deliver an upset victory Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Indiana Oaks
at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Moved this year from Mark Glatt to the barn of Grant
Forster, the daughter of Gun Runner got off to the best start of the six 3-year-old
fillies. After racing two lengths clear on the backstretch in the 1 1/16-mile
race, Chatalas (10-1) could not shake Little Jamie (9-1), who was ridden to the
lead briefly by Corey Lanerie as the field turned for home.

Click here for Horseshoe Indianapolis entries and results.

Antonio Fresu, who also came from California this weekend, kept
urging Chatalas to duel with Little Jamie as she raced along the rail in the
run for home. In the final three strides she found the lead and won by a head.
Little Jamie held on for second, a half-length better than Impel (1-5). The post-time
favorite made a late bid, but it was not enough to keep her from finishing any
better than third.

Band of Gold (5-1), Neon Icon (5-1) and Dancing Princess
(71-1) completed the finish in that order. Charlene’s Dream and Just Be Quiet
were scratched.

The winning time was 1:42.93 on the fast main track after early fractions of
23.72, 47.48, 1:11.29 and 1:36.19.

Chatalas, bred by Dan Agnew and owned by Rancho Temescal
Thoroughbred Partners, Agnew and namesake William Chatalas, returned $23.80,
$9.00 and $3.80. Little Jamie, who made her stakes debut Saturday for trainer
Robbie Medina, paid $8.40 and $3.20. Impel, now 0-for-3 in stakes for breeder-owner
Juddmonte and trainer Brad Cox, returned $2.10 to show.

The winner of last year’s Chandelier (G2) and a runner-up
last out on turf in the Blue Norther on Dec. 29, Chatalas raised her record to
7: 3-1-1. Saturday’s first-place prize of $118,800 brought her career earnings
to $370,000.