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Dixie Chatter's first winner comes up north Chattering Nikita became the first winner sired by Grade 1 hero Dixie Chatter (Dixie Union) when wiring Friday night's 1ST race at Northlands Park. Trained by Cindy Cummins and ridden by Nate Smith, the 9-1 chance broke sharply, grabbed the early lead, and held off 4-5 favorite Corky's Luck by a length. The filly beat the boys in a final time of :40 3/5 for 3 1/2 furlongs on the fast track. Bred by Fleming Thoroughbred Farm in Arizona, Chattering Nikita was purchased by current owner Carl Perry for $7,000 at last October's Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Fall Mixed Sale. The dark bay tired to a close fifth, beaten a length, in her debut in an April 19 trial at Turf Paradise. She was making her second start in this maiden special weight at Northlands. Chattering Nikita is out of the stakes-placed Mirabilia (Never Tabled), making her a half-sister to stakes winners R El Jefe (Benchmark) and Bella Cardona (Bertrando). This is the family of Grade 1 heroine Silent Sighs (Benchmark), who has produced Grade 3 victor Clear Attempt (A.P. Indy), as well as multiple Grade 2 queen Proposed (Benchmark). Dixie Chatter scored his signature win as a juvenile in the 2007 Norfolk (G1) at Santa Anita. Third in the Laz Barrera Memorial (G3) and Affirmed H. (G3) in his first two starts at three, the Richard Mandella trainee subsequently prospered on the turf. Dixie Chatter captured the 2008 Oceanside in his turf debut at Del Mar and later annexed the 2009 Arcadia H. (G2) at Santa Anita. His resume also features thirds in the Oak Tree Derby (G2) and Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1), where he was beaten less than a length by the all-star pair of Gio Ponti and Ventura. A half-brother to current Las Flores (G3) winner Rumor (Indian Charlie), Dixie Chatter is out of the unraced Mini Chat (Deputy Minister). Mini Chat is herself a half-sister to Grade 2 victress Cat Chat (Storm Cat), the dam of last year's Spinster (G1) star In Lingerie (Empire Maker). Dixie Chatter's second dam is champion Phone Chatter (Phone Trick), who landed the 1993 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Oak Leaf (G1) in her Eclipse Award-winning season. Retired with a record of 13-4-0-4, $464,606, Dixie Chatter stands at Ballena Vista Farm near Ramona, California, for $5,000, stands and nurses.
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