|
|
Eight Belles still being considered for Derby Trainer Larry Jones continues to leave the door ajar for a Kentucky Derby (G1) appearance by the filly EIGHT BELLES (Unbridled's Song). This year, Eight Belles became the first filly in Oaklawn history to sweep its three major races for three-year-old fillies -- the Martha Washington, Honeybee S. (G3) and Fantasy S. (G2)-- and last Monday shipped to Keeneland to prepare ostensibly for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 2 at Churchill Downs. "I'm conservative by nature," Jones said at his Oaklawn Park barn Sunday morning, "and I've always believed in running fillies against fillies. But Eight Belles is something special, and her owner (Rick Porter) really would like to see her in the Derby. "Right now, the plan is to give her a work over the Churchill strip, and then make a decision. I guess I better be prepared for a media circus if she goes to the Derby. If not, no one will know she's around." Jones also has Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) victress PROUD SPELL (Proud Citizen) for the Kentucky Oaks. Eight Belles and Proud Spell closed as the top two betting choices in Churchill Downs' third and final pool of the Kentucky Oaks future wager. One person most anxious to hear a final decision on Eight Belles is Bob Holthus, the nine-time Oaklawn champion trainer. "I truly feel that Eight Belles deserves to run in the Derby," Holthus said Sunday morning. "You can tell Larry that I'd be happy to enter her myself in the Derby." Holthus is preparing Grade 2 winner and Fantasy third-placer PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) for the Kentucky Oaks, and will ship his entire string to Churchill Downs on Tuesday. Despite the anticipation of the upcoming classic, the mood was sad at the Jones barn on Sunday morning. Mountain Valley S. hero FERRAGAMO (Vindication), the beaten favorite in the $75,000 Northern Spur on the Arkansas Derby (G2) undercard Saturday, sustained a career-ending slab fracture of the left knee during the race, presumably while engaging Comic Romeo (Proudest Romeo) in a speed duel. "He's on a van to Lexington," Jones said, "and Dr. Thorpe will perform surgery on him Monday. Fortunately, he will be saved for stud, and that black-type he earned winning the Mountain Valley will look good on his resume." Tragically, Comic Romeo was not so fortunate. He had to be euthanized after shattering his leg in midstretch.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
