Derby Hopefuls
15-1
Eight Belles
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Jockey: Gabriel Saez
Owner: Fox Hill Farms
Breeder: Robert N. Clay & Serengeti Stable
Eight Belles will attempt to become the fourth filly in to win the Derby, and the first since Winning Colors won twenty years ago. She is certainly coming into the race the right way, riding a four-race winning streak. Her winning margins have decreased as the competition has gotten tougher, but she was well in hand in both the Honeybee (gr. III) and the Fantasy (gr. II). Her speed figures have been comparable to the colts, which went a long way in prompting her connections to try the Derby instead of the Oaks. Trainer Larry Jones also has the top-class filly Proud Spell, meaning he could pull off an Oaks-Derby double, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since Ben Jones did it in 1952.
Auction History
| Year | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Keeneland September Yearling Sale | $375,000 |
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/06/08 | Fantasy (gr. II) | 8.5 f | 1 | $150,000 |
| 03/16/08 | Honeybee (gr. III) | 8.5 f | 1 | $60,000 |
| 02/17/08 | Martha Washington | 8 f | 1 | $30,000 |
| 01/21/08 | Allowance @ Fair Grounds | 8 f 40 yds | 1 | $24,000 |
| 12/23/07 | Allowance @ Fair Grounds | 8.5 f | 2 | $8,000 |
| 11/30/07 | Allowance @ Fair Grounds | 8 f | 7 | $250 |
| 10/30/07 | Maiden @ Delaware | 8 f 70 yds | 1 | $24,000 |
| 10/15/07 | Maiden @ Delaware | 8.5 f | 3 | $4,400 |
| 09/16/07 | Maiden @ Delaware | 5.5 f | 2 | $8,000 |
| Record: 9 Starts, 5-2-1 | Total Earnings: $308,650 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Joneses Hope Buddy Is Lucky Derby Charm
Trainer Larry Jones and his wife and assistant, Cindy, may have found a lucky charm for one of racing's biggest weeks. It's a nine-month-old African grey parrot named Buddy.
Eight Belles, Proud Spell Both Work
Fox Hill Farms' Eight Belles and Brereton Jones' Proud Spell, two fillies who have either the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) or the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in their immediate futures, each worked a half-mile April 20 in their final moves at Keeneland before they are shipped to Churchill Downs April 25.
'Day-to-Day' on Eight Belles Decision
Trainer Larry Jones said it is still up in the air whether his filly Eight Belles will challenge the boys in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or if she will battle the fillies the day before in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Eight Belles Could Run in Derby
Owner Rick Porter has always known Eight Belles is a solid contender -- but he's thinking about putting the 3-year-old filly's class and stamina to the ultimate test May 3. Porter said April 13, if all goes well, the daughter of Unbridled's Song will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Zanjero, Grasshopper, Kip Deville Work
Winchell Thoroughbreds graded stakes winner Zanjero worked five furlongs at Keeneland in 1:00.60 for trainer Steve Asmussen, Monday, April 7
Fantasy: Eight Belles Scores Another Win
Eight Belles continued her quest to become the best 3-year-old filly in the nation, as the daughter of Unbridled's Song overcame a poor start to win by three-quarters of a length in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) April 6 at Oaklawn Park, her third consecutive stakes triumph.
Eight Belles Faces Three in Fantasy
Though Larry Jones was tempted to run his ultra-talented 3-year-old filly Eight Belles against the boys in the $1-million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) April 12, the trainer has decided to take the safer route, and instead will line up the daughter of Unbridled's Song in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) April 6 at Oaklawn Park.
Fillies Among Late 'Crown' Nominees
The fillies Eight Belles and Proud Spell are among the late nominees for this year's Triple Crown
Eight Belles Has Easy Time in Honeybee
In the $100,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) March 16 at Oaklawn Park, the streaking 3-year-old filly proved she could handle graded stakes competition, as she scored by 1 1/4 lengths after coasting to the wire with ease under a confident Ramon Dominguez. She defeated five rivals.
| Eight Belles | Unbridled's Song | Unbridled |
| Trolley Song | ||
| Away | Dixieland Band | |
| Be a Prospector |
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