Coming off the bench with a new coach, Chatalas wins the Indiana Oaks

After a break of more than six months and making his first start with his new coach, Chatalas emerged from a duel with another long shot to score an upset victory Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Indiana Oaks
at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

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

Click here for Horseshoe Indianapolis registrations and results.

Antonio Fresu, who also arrived from California this weekend, continued to urge Chatalas to duel with Little Jamie as she ran down the rail in the race to the finish. In the last three strides she found the lead and won by a head. Little Jamie held on for second, half a length better than Impel (1-5). The post-season favorite made a late attempt, but it was not enough to prevent her from finishing better than third.

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

The winning time was 1:42.93 on the fast main track after initial splits 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, making his 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 for the show.

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