I'm a Chatterbox a comfortable winner of the Obeah

Grade 1 winner I'm a Chatterbox is one step closer to taking another serious shot at a top-level race after waltzing to an 8 1/2-length victory Saturday in the $100,000 Obeah at Delaware Park, a nine-furlong prep for the July 16 Delaware H. (G1) over 1 1/4 miles.

In traffic early while two lengths off a pace set by Savings Account, I'm a Chatterbox made a three-wide bid for the lead around the far turn, soon seized control and drew off with ease under Gabriel Saez. Under no serious pressure, I'm a Chatterbox finished up in a pedestrian 1:53.20 on a fast track.

The overwhelming 3-10 favorite in a field of five, I'm a Chatterbox returned $2.60 for owners Fletcher and Carolyn Gray and trainer Larry Jones.

"We are sitting good right now," Jones said. "With the Delaware H. being a Grade 1 and worth three-quarters of a million dollars, I think we will stay right here. We got a trip over the track which was one advantage of staying here instead of going into the (Ogden) Phipps (G1) at New York. Plus, the Phipps is a mile and a sixteenth and this is a mile and an eighth. So we plan on staying home and I am happy with the way this race is going to set her up for the Del 'Cap."

Winner of the Cotillion (G1), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Rachel Alexandra (G3), and Silverbulletday last season, I'm a Chatterbox also placed in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), and Alabama (G1). She kicked off 2016 with a second in the Doubledogdare (G3) at Keeneland on April 22.

I'm a Chatterbox and Larry Jones photo courtesy of Lauren J. Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com