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Dixie Chatter pulls upset at Oak Tree

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Times Staff Writer

Richard Migliore, who scored an upset victory aboard Student Council in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar earlier this summer, guided another surprise winner to victory as Dixie Chatter held off favored Salute the Sarge in Sunday’s Grade I $250,000 Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita’s Oak Tree meet before 8,491.

Trainer Richard Mandella indicated after the impressive showing in the 1 1/16 -mile race for 2-year-olds on the synthetic track that next up for Dixie Chatter was more than likely the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

“It’s on to the Breeders’ Cup if all goes well,” Mandella said.

In his last race, Dixie Chatter finished fifth in the Del Mar Futurity Sept. 5. Salute the Sarge finished second in that race, a length ahead of Dixie Chatter.

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Meanwhile, Oak Tree officials announced Sunday that the next KROQ Microbrew Festival scheduled to take place in the Santa Anita infield on Nov. 3, California Cup Day, has been postponed.

The announcement followed Saturday’s KROQ Microbrew Festival, which was marred by fighting among patrons toward the end of the day.

Dick Honaker, head of track security, confirmed that an Arcadia policeman hired to work the event was knocked down and a security guard from a private agency was hit with a giveaway beer stein. Those incidents led to more law-enforcement personnel being called to the scene. Honaker called the incident unfortunate, saying only a few individuals were involved.

Sgt. Brian Ortiz of the Arcadia Police Department said, “It was a big fight, but it wasn’t a riot.” He said there were no arrests or serious injuries. “Bumps and bruises” is how he described the injuries.

Honaker said four people suffered minor injuries.

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larry.stewart@latimes.com

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