Contenders
Proud Spell
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Owner: Brereton C. Jones
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
The filly Proud Spell was made a late nominee to the Triple Crown when her connections put up the $6,000 just prior to the March 29 deadline. Trainer Larry Jones made his mark with fillies Island Sand, Wildcat Bettie B and Ruby's Reception, and more recently with the top-class colt of 2007, Hard Spun. He now has another duo of 3-year-old fillies in Proud Spell and Eight Belles; the latter was also a late Triple Crown nominee. Proud Spell has never been worse than second in six starts, and has done very well as the races get progressively longer, giving every reason to think she can handle the 10 furlongs of the Derby. She is slated to run in the Ashland (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland, which should go a long way in determining her Kentucky Derby status.
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/08/08 | Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) | 8.5 f | 1 | $240,000 |
| 02/09/08 | Silverbulletday (gr. III) | 8.5 f | 2 | $40,000 |
| 10/27/07 | Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) | 8.5 f | 2 | $400,000 |
| 09/15/07 | Matron (gr. I) | 7 f | 1 | $150,000 |
| 08/25/07 | White Clay Creek Stakes | 6 f | 1 | $34,770 |
| 07/30/07 | Maiden @ Delaware Park | 5 f | 1 | $24,000 |
| Record: 6 Starts, 4-2-0 | Total Earnings: $888,770 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Proud Spell to Oaks Only
Former Kentucky Gov. Brereton C. Jones said April 27 that Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Proud Spell would be pointed only to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and not the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
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.
Proud Spell Narrow Choice in Oaks Future
Two fillies headed for a showdown in Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5, Brereton Jones' Proud Spell and Stonerside Stable's Country Star, stood as the top two choices in Pool 3 of Churchill Downs' 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager as the four-day betting pool reached its halfway point.
Proud Spell, Country Star Top 'Futures'
Brereton Jones' Proud Spell, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), and Stonerside Stable's Country Star, a two-time winner in grade I company, are the top choices for the third pool of Churchill Downs' 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which begins four days of betting April 3.
Ashland Fillies Ready for Showdown
A field of nine fillies is expected for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland, and the race should help sort out who is the best filly heading into the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Fillies Among Late 'Crown' Nominees
The fillies Eight Belles and Proud Spell are among the late nominees for this year's Triple Crown
Denis of Cork Headlines Illinois Derby
Denis of Cork was installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a field of seven in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) April 5 at Hawthorne Race Course.
Proud Spell Bewitches Indian Blessing
Three days ago, trainer Larry Jones said he hoped Proud Spell would pressure Indian Blessing through the early lead in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II). Although Brereton Jones' homebred Proud Citizen filly didn't exactly do that, she did manage to wear down the Eclipse Award winner and get her own score in the March 8 event in New Orleans.
| Proud Spell | Proud Citizen | Gone West |
| Drums of Freedom | ||
| Pacific Spell | Langfuhr | |
| Malibu Magic |
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