Another Victory for Eight Belles
Eight Belles was born with the right genes, and since January 2008 she has been proving that she is the next racing wonder to look out for. After a thrilling victory at the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes ($250 000), which was held at Oaklawn over the weekend, she has secured four consecutive wins, and punters are predicting that Eight Belles might just be the horse to take the upcoming Kentucky Oaks.
Bred at by the legendary Robert N. Clay and the Serengeti Stables, a more suitable match could not be found, to foal this amazing horse. Her broodmare, Away, is from a long line of magnificent and fast horses, and her sire, Unbridled Song, made a name for himself as a multiple Grade 1 champion, bringing in career earnings of over $1 million. Robert N. Clay is also no stranger to breeding outstanding racehorses, and has all the aces in his hands when it comes to stallions such as Smarty Jones, Point Given, War Chant, Rahy, Dynaformer and War Chant. Richard Porter of Fox Hill Farms, owner of Eight Belles, has been in the horse racing industry for many years, owning spectacular racehorses during his time and selecting the best trainers for his horses, such as Larry Jones.
In her career, Eight Belles has had nine starts. Her victory at the Fantasy Stakes increased her wins to five and her career earnings to $308 650. In an allowance race at Fairgrounds, Eight Belles sped to a fifteen length win, after which she moved on to the Martha Washington Stakes ($50 000) in February 2008, which she also won. At the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes ($100 000) on the 16th of March, Eight Belles stunned spectators by not only winning the race, but beating the then undefeated Pure Clan. Her win on Sunday, has made her a red hot favorite for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks which is being held on 2 May 2008. Trainer, Larry Jones, is said to be toying with the thought of entering her into the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, on 3 May 2008, where she would have to run against the boys. No confirmation of this decision has been announced, so eager fans and supporters will have to wait patiently to see what happens.
No doubt, Eight Belles will be ready to take on any horse racing event, and give it her best. As jockey, Ramon Dominguez found out on Sunday, that even after a bad start and biding her time in third place for most of the race, Eight Belles is capable of drawing on stamina, power and speed whenever she needs it. She is a spectacular racing horse that has a bright and exciting future ahead of her.
