Eight Belles had a great work this morning. She stretched her legs but did it quickly. She did it very easily and looked like she was just galloping over the poly track. 46 3/5ths and galloped out the extra eighth at 59 3/5ths. She came back great. She wasn't blowing very much and drank less that a bucket of water. Gabriel Saez was aboard and was very surprised at the time as was Larry. She looked like she was going so easy.

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.

To be honest never paid much attention to the horse until after reading all your posts about the hrose a few days ago. They showed her on TV last night during the telecast of the Lexington. Holy shit is that horse that big or was she standing on something? After looking at her past performances and seeing her yesterday would be interesting to see her take on the boys come derby day.

Larry and I have decided to have Gabriel Saez ride Eight Belles in The Kentucky Derby. Larry has so much confidence in Gabriel that I didn't even bring up any alternative possibillities with him. I am behind the choice 100%.

Rick

At 5 p.m. yesterday (Thursday), trainer Jones called Saez' agent and told him that Eight Belles will run in the Derby (barring getting post 18 or out), and he wants Saez to ride her

Originally Posted by fbwinners

At 5 p.m. yesterday (Thursday), trainer Jones called Saez' agent and told him that Eight Belles will run in the Derby (barring getting post 18 or out), and he wants Saez to ride her

Time to make an early wager on Pure Clan while I can get 8-1 on her

Originally Posted by fbwinners

At 5 p.m. yesterday (Thursday), trainer Jones called Saez' agent and told him that Eight Belles will run in the Derby (barring getting post 18 or out), and he wants Saez to ride her

I received a tex this morning and also the 9/19 as they are the last to load.


FB

I just spoke with Larry as they were loading Proud Spell, Eight Belles and the pony on Larry's trailer van for the ride to Churchill. I am not sure of the correct term for the vehicle that the horses are riding in behind Larry's truck. She galloped great this morning and will gallop at Churchill in the morning and breeze after the break on Sunday. We will enter Tuesday for the Oaks and we will know Wednesday morning whether we will have an acceptable post. They draw names for the order of selection Wednesday morning. The selection process in downtown Louisville is late Wednesday afternoon. It is televised. Here's hoping that we hear Eight Belles name annouced early. Hard Spun was the third name announced. Larry and I really want to run in the Derby. It will take a very bad post choice to keep us out.

Rick

Scott and I are back from a whirlwind trip to Louisville. Kodiak Kowboy almost stayed up but finished a good second, if there is such a thing. Eight Belles looks better than terrific and she worked great this morning. All of you have had a chance to see her time of 58 1/5. I couldn't believe it when Steve Haskin, who was with me, looked at his watch and gave me the time. By the way, it was deja vu this morning as Steve and Scott and I were together a year ago when I turned to Steve and said he (Hard Spun) didn't look like he was going that fast. Steve looked at his stop watch, which I didn't even know he had, and told me 58 3/5. I just hope that irony results in Eight Belles running as well as Hard Spun did a year ago. Without any bad luck, we would have been in the winner's circle.
Scott and I are going back to Louisville Tuesday and I will try to give you daily reports. Let's hope FHF gets an early call at the selection draw Wednesday morning. A good post for the Oaks, as a backup, would be super. I guess I am hoping for too much but it is always good to dream big!

Rick

Originally Posted by DiscreetCat

FB, i respect your opinion/knowledge, but you really need to tone down the outlandish statements. Like "the only way i lose my Oaks future is if they run her in the Derby". I love Eight Belles also, and it looks like she'll take a lot of beating in the Oaks (assuming she gets there), but come on.

A few weeks ago you said "War Pass will be 3/1 or less on Derby Day". Still feel that way?

Well DCat I wish I would of been wrong and the only way I could of lost my Oaks future wager came true and I have to eat 3 dimes now and move on. Well good luck to you this coming weekend and may the horses be with you.


FB

it's been a fun journey.....she made it to the big dance....

good luck and good racing......you gave her to us months ago......

Originally Posted by fbwinners

Well DCat I wish I would of been wrong and the only way I could of lost my Oaks future wager came true and I have to eat 3 dimes now and move on. Well good luck to you this coming weekend and may the horses be with you.


FB

Well, this will start some controversy. She would have been my 4th choice in the Oaks. After watching the last race, their is no chance anyone will convince me that Pure Clan wasn't going to beat her at 1 1/8. She should have won the last race except for a terrible ride, and the reason Prado now gets the mount. She's been pointed to this race.......every clocker I know of has said that Proud Spell is the star filly of the Jones barn recently. She has looked super in the mornings, better than EB's. Also, Golden Doc A is training up a storm heading into this race and this is a filly that is really maturing into a very good racehorse.

Originally Posted by 2W2P2S

Well, this will start some controversy. She would have been my 4th choice in the Oaks. After watching the last race, their is no chance anyone will convince me that Pure Clan wasn't going to beat her at 1 1/8. She should have won the last race except for a terrible ride, and the reason Prado now gets the mount. She's been pointed to this race.......every clocker I know of has said that Proud Spell is the star filly of the Jones barn recently. She has looked super in the mornings, better than EB's. Also, Golden Doc A is training up a storm heading into this race and this is a filly that is really maturing into a very good racehorse.

So who do you like on top for the Oaks?

FB,

Why are the connections so interested in racing her in the Derby. other than ego..only 2 fillies have won...Genuine Risk was obviously a freak horse, but when it came to breeding she only delivered 2 live foals in 17 tries....I would have to think maybe those 3 grueling races had some effect on not being able to deliver....she was retired from breeding in 2000

Good luck...but I can't say I give her much of a chance.

Originally Posted by FlyinLate

So who do you like on top for the Oaks?

I"ll play Pure Clan keyed on top of Proud Spell and Golden Doc A
And those 2 reversed on top of Pure Clan