Eight Belles a slight favorite in final Oaks Pool

EIGHT BELLES (Unbridled's Song), who moments after the

closing of Pool 3 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager won the Fantasy S. (G2), was

sent off as the slight 5-1 favorite for Larry Jones. The gray miss has burst

onto the scene this year after an ordinary freshman campaign, reeling off a 13

1/2-length score in the Martha Washington S., a facile tally in the Honeybee S.

(G3) and a measured score in the Fantasy. Eight Belles was at 8-1 at the

conclusion of Pool 2.

Fellow Jones trainee PROUD SPELL (Proud Citizen) was next in the wagering at

6-1, the same price she closed at in the prior pool. The multiple Grade 2

victress was last seen running third in the Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland on

Saturday. Dual Grade 1 queen COUNTRY STAR (Empire Maker) closed the day at 7-1

for Bobby Frankel. The talented sophomore, who was the 5-1 choice in Pool 2,

exits a fifth in the Ashland in her yearly debut.

Ashland second BSHARPSONATA (Pulpit) and dual Grade 2 vixen PURE CLAN (Pure

Prize), who finished a close third in the Fantasy, both

concluded at 8-1. The former captured the Davona Dale S. (G2) and Forward Gal S.

(G2) prior to her neck loss in the Ashland for Timothy Salzman. The latter was

perfect in four tries in 2007, capped by a win in the Golden Rod S. (G2), and is

yet to be unplaced in six career efforts for Bob Holthus.

The option for all other three-year-olds was sent off at 11-1, along with

Ashland upsetter LITTLE BELLE (A.P. Indy). Recent

Bonnie Miss S. (G2) romper SHE'S ALL ELTISH (Eltish) closed at 12-1 and Las

Virgenes S. (G1) winner GOLDEN DOC A (Unusual Heat) was next at 15-1. 

Total wagering on the final pool totaled $47,116, down 33.7 percent from the

$71,040 handled at the comparable stage in 2007. Total handle for the Oaks

Future Wager was at $174,838, a 9.5 percent decrease from the $193,086 taken in

last year.

2008 KENTUCKY OAKS FUTURE

WAGER

Final Odds -- Pool 3

*Denotes new wagering

interest in Pool 3