Eight Belles
fbwinners
Senior Member
I can give you all a heads up on Eight Belles and tell you one thing her work this week was just plan AWESOME, she worked 59 and change and wasn't even asked in the work by Terry Thompson. Terry rode her last out and this weekend she will be ridden by Ramon D., the only way I lose my futre wager on her in the Oaks is they decide to run her in the Derby. I cannot see that happening as she doesnt have any graded earnings and after Sunday's race would have to win one fo the final derby preps to make it to the starting gate on May 3rd. She is owned by Mr. Porter who owned Hard Spun last year and he wants to win a Derby in the biggest way. I can tell you one thing but it will never happen if she is even money on Sunday bet want you want as she will cruise to one of he easiest victories you will see a filly do. Also don't foget to use her as a single in pick 3's and double's if availabe and turn her into 2-3/1. Just remember here EIGHT BELLES wins the Oaks if she gets to the starting gate and her stable mate Proud Spell might just complete the exacta with her on May 2nd.
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Email Print RSS by Jason Shandler
Date Posted: March 16, 2008
Last Updated: March 16, 2008
Eight Belles and jockey Ramon Dominguez won Oaklawn's Honeybee (gr. III) with deceptive ease.
Two starts ago, Eight Belles won by 15 lengths against allowance competition. Last out, the daughter of Unbridled's Song set the win-margin record in the Martha Washington Stakes during a 13 ½-length romp.
In the $100,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) (VIDEO) 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.
In a match-up that was billed as a battle between budding superstars Eight Belles and Pure Clan, at the end there was little doubt which filly was better. Although the final margin would indicate that it was a relatively close contest, Dominguez never had to ask Eight Belles after opening up a clear lead in the stretch, as he looked over his shoulder several times without ever going to the stick.
Pure Clan entered the Honeybee undefeated in four starts, but was unraced since Nov. 24, when she won the Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) by two lengths at Churchill Downs. The Pure Prize filly rallied willingly down the stretch in her 3-year-old debut, finishing 2 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Kadira.
Eight Belles time of 1:43.91 in the 1 1/16-mile event was just .03 seconds off Sierra Sunsets winning time in the March 15 Rebel.
Shes a very talented filly and so is Proud Spell, said trainer Larry Jones, who may have the top two 3-year-old fillies entering the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Were very blessed. Both of them ran the same or better times than the boys; Proud Spell was faster than Pyro in Louisiana.
Carl Pollards Kadira came out sprinting to get the early lead from the inside post. The Kafwain filly was unchallenged through opening fractions of :24.31 and :48.72. Salomea was the pace-stalker, while Cozy Mesa and Eight Belles were content to race alongside in the next group.
As they entered the final turn, Eight Belles used the three-spot to challenge Kadira, and took the lead by 2 1/2 lengths entering the top of the lane. Six furlongs was run in 1:13.32.
Eight Belles had more to give in upper stretch and easily extended her lead. As the leader passed the sixteenth-pole, Pure Clan was charging strongly from the outside, but Dominguez never flinched in bringing his talented filly to the wire.
Things worked out well today, said Jones, who added Eight Belles would make her final Oaks prep in the April 6 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn. Ramon just sat patiently on her and tried to slow it down. He didnt have to ask her. I think he switched to his left hand and just threatened her with (the whip) a bit, but that was it. He checked back to make sure he was OK. He didnt want to use any more than he had to.
Eight Belles is out of the Dixieland Band mare Away. The gray/roan filly was bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay and Serengeti Stable. A $375,000 purchase at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale, she is owned by Fox Hill Farms.
Going off as the 3-5 favorite, Eight Belles paid $3.20, $2.20 and $2.20. The exacta (6-4) was worth $5.80.
A few weeks ago you said "War Pass will be 3/1 or less on Derby Day". Still feel that way?
The only reason I stated about her running in the Derby was that Rick Porter was pushing that way and L.J., was telling him let's not do that to her. I came to this forum after talking with Edward and I really thought I wouldn't have to deal with this type of post especially from you. I come on here with no monterary value and offer very good info in my opinion. I could of sent you a email when you had a bad run when I was the first customer to sign up as I didn't cash a ticket with my trial run and you have never heard me say anything about that and I was sending you all type of clocker info and other info I get willingly. Again I'm sorry if you feel I make outlandish statements and as I stated to Edward I will contribute to this forum and if he wants me to tone down my threads I will. But again I will write my threads as I feel needed and I hope they don't offend you in any way.
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The one thing i've definitely noticed however is that he tends to go a bit overboard when he likes a horse. Street Sense in the Derby last year makes a fine example. IIf i remember correctly, i think FB said that he would go off @ 5/2 on raceday (this is on the Wednesday evening before the race), and that he would bea great bet at that price. I just think FB is a little (a lot) overconfident sometimes, and in turn, that affects his perception of value. Most notably when it comes to futures.
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As far as Eight Belles and the Derby. She does not look near physical enough to me to handle a roughly run race w/ colts. The philly's that have done well in TC races were physically very well put together and as big as the boys. She's really fast, but don't think she's made to compete in a race like that unless she get's a perfect trip.
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Personally, i think there may be some value on Eight Belles in the Oaks, as many people will likely side with Proud Spell, due to her beating the high-profile Breeders Cup winner Indian Blessing. The Frankel filly Country Star would pull a ton of action as well.
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Eight Belles nominated to Arkansas Derby
Eight Belles could take on the boys in the Arkansas Derby (Coady Photogprahy)
EIGHT BELLES (Unbridled's Song), impressive winner of the Honeybee S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park last week, was nominated Friday to the April 12 Arkansas Derby (G2), leaving the door open to a possible start in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
The gray filly may still yet run in the April 6 Fantasy S. (G2) against fillies at Oaklawn, but trainer Larry Jones said the "Arkansas Derby gives us another option." Rick Porter, the owner of Eight Belles, feels there would be potential benefits to facing the boys in the Arkansas Derby.
"The added distance of the Derby is one reason why we would prefer to run the filly in the Arkansas Derby if we do decide to go to the Kentucky Derby," said Porter, who campaigned 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun. "Also, the residual value of beating the boys would be important.
"The only negative about running in the Arkansas Derby would be that it would give (Eight Belles) three weeks, instead of four, into the Kentucky Oaks (G1) or Kentucky Derby," Porter added. "But we certainly will give the Arkansas Derby serious consideration."
If Eight Belles opts for the Fantasy, she would likely face PURE CLAN (Pure Prize), who finished second in the Honeybee in her first start since November.
"Eight Belles is a great filly and she deserves the chance to beat the boys in the Arkansas Derby," said Bonnie Holthus, wife of Pure Clan's trainer, Bob Holthus. "As for Pure Clan, she'll be sticking with the girls. Our goals are to win the Fantasy and the (May 2) Kentucky Oaks."
"We have four weeks. A lot can happen in four weeks."
Eight Belles could be entered in both the Kentucky Oaks and Derby.
Owner Rick Porter has always known Eight Belles is a solid contender but hes thinking about putting the 3-year-old fillys class and stamina to the ultimate test May 3. Porter said April 13, if all goes well, the daughter of Unbridleds Song will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Plans in Thoroughbred racing can change at a moments notice, but three weeks before the Derby, Porter and trainer Larry Jones remained cautiously optimistic about the fillys chances at making the gate on the first Saturday in May. Racing under the red and white colors of Porters Fox Hill Farms, Eight Belles is nominated to both the Derby and the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and the owner plans to enter both races if circumstances allow.
Obviously, the (April 12 prep races) were a part of the decision-making process, Porter said. Im going to get the (Ragozin) numbers on the top 20 horses, along with the past performances, and sit down and analyze them with Larry. But more importantly, Larry will be in
Lexington April 15 and hell start getting on her to see how aggressively shes training and whether he thinks shes sitting on an improvement.
Eight Belles, bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay and Serengeti Stable, is out of the Dixieland Band mare Away. She has won her past four starts by a combined margin of 30 ½ lengths, including her most recent score April 6 in the Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park.
Larry will know best of all, and if shes doing well and Larry tells me that he thinks shes still on the improve and sitting on big race, theres only one thing that has both of us concerned, Porter said. She doesnt get out of the gate real fast and in a 20-horse field., if she happens to draw the outside post position, shell be at a great disadvantage going into the first turn.
Porter said he still has to review the competition for the Derby as it stands after April 12, but that a long-term plan would have Eight Belles at least entering the Derby, should everything fall into place.
We know shell get the distance, number one, and we know she has a lot of heart, he said. She can run on the front, she can stalk and come from off the pace shes a very talented filly and with the competition out there, with the colts this year, she fits right in with the top three or four 3-year-olds in America. Based on her talent, her ability, and her versatility, we think she belongs and can compete with colts at the very top end. We wouldnt run her if didnt think we could win (the Derby).
Eight Belles currently has graded stakes earnings of $308,650, which places her among the top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby graded earnings list.
The second issue is her current training. I will rely on Larry to decide how well she is training. He will start galloping her himself today. He will know by getting on her. She has to be training like she is sitting on a huge performance. She has to have a good breeze or two. Larry will take her to Churchill soon and see how well she handles the track. If Larry tells me she likes the track surface and is training forwardly, I have decided I will enter the Oaks on Tuesday and the Derby on Wednesday. I will then have the option, after seeing our post position in the Derby, to run in either race. If we draw a decent post in the Derby, she will race there. If we draw a bad post in our opinion, she will run in the Oaks.
This is within the rules and it is not poor sportsmanship. It would be prohibited by the racing officials if they didn't want it to happen. Only a filly can do this. I feel very fair about doing this. Time will tell. Larry has to be behind me 110%. I will not enter her in the Derby unless Larry thinks we have a good chance of winning. That is the whole story on Eight Belles. Anything else that you read contradicting that is not true. It is a terrific position to be in. She is a very talented and beautiful filly.
What are your personal thoughts on her chances in the Derby if she does decide to run in it?
i have seen too many good horses, get beat when someone runs up on them in a big
race....don't get me wrong she is the horse to beat in the oaks, but i think with the boys
she would get ran over at the top of the lane. i hope they don't ruin another good filly....
As much as i would like to see that story play out, i would prefer to see her run in the oaks and then follow rags to riches and run in the belmont.
My personal opinion is I hope they run her in the Oaks as I have a nice future ticket on her and can wipe my ass with it if she goes to the Derby. This is the most confusing Derby I have seen in many years and that comes from the polytracks. I truly think the Cali contingent is way better than most are saying. There speed numbers aren't big but when they have run on the real dirt in Oaklawn there speed numbers jump up huge. Eight Belles is a very special filly and I truly don't think she has a chance to win the Derby not saying she can't run in the money (highly unlikely), it will be a 20 horse field if she's entered and I really feel if she continues to work well they will run her in the Derby if her post is good. Just think she ran a 99 at Oaklawn for her best Beyer number and Gayego and Z Fortune ran 103 and 102 last weekend and that was Gayego first race on dirt and he ran his career best number as did Z Fortune. I will be back with a detailed analysis on all Derby probables this weekend after the Lexington as I will be leaving on May 1st for Louisville to attend The Oaks and Derby and will be out of pocket for updates. I'm going to try and update a thread on Friday night before the Derby real late with any info I can come across. I will be having dinner with a Speed Figure Guru on Thusday in Louisville and will pass along any info he gives as this is my first meeting with him. Below are the colts I think can win the Derby.
Big Brown - Just looks to be the real deal, if the foot issues are behind him he will be tough. Broke his maiden at a route of ground on the weeds and that is so highly abnormal and they way he did it was awesome as he rebroked at the top of the stretch and just ran off like a scared cat running from a dog. Then comes back at a flat mile and wins for fun in a fast time. Then breaks from post 12 and runs unheard of fractions on the front end at a 1 1/8 and wins that race for fun also. This colt is a very good colt and not a Bellamy Road thats not saying he will win the Derby but watch out for him and don't use him because he is the now horse and everbody is saying this and that.
Colonel John - This colt seems to me as good as they come has good size and a very good style of running and probably will be the wise guy horse come Derby day and that sucks for me as as at this time I have him on top as my key horse for Win and Place wager and exoctics. Watch what happens when he comes to Churchill and works like a freight train over the surface everybody will be saying it's his race to lose and so on. I wish Eoin Harty would of keep him in Cali and let him hit real dirt for the first time on Derby Day and just cruise on by them in the stretch to the winners cirlce. But he will be the now horse especially since Big Brown will stay in Florida for his works and the only other thing that can help the Colonel's price is Pyro works a strong 58/59 5f breeze and they all like to play the Ass man in Ky.
To be continued with remaining contenders.
FB
She will work next Sunday at Churchill if the track is good. We always have the option of moving it to Saturday or Monday if the weather interferes.
She is looking great and training better. All systems are go for the first weekend in May.
Rick
Time to make an early wager on Pure Clan while I can get 8-1 on her :drinking:
I received a tex this morning and also the 9/19 as they are the last to load.
FB