Tue Apr 29 12:51:20 2008

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Eight Belles entered in Kentucky Oaks, may go in Derby

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Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Top three-year-old filly Eight Belles has been entered to run in Friday's $500,000 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. However, Eight Belles is expected to take on the boys in this year's Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Eight Belles will run in the Kentucky Derby if her connections like the post position she gets at Wednesday's draw. If she scratches from the Run for the Roses that will leave 19 starters for the race.

"We're going in the Derby unless we get a sign from God," said trainer Larry Jones. A far outside post in the Kentucky Derby. 19 or 20, would probably put the filly into the Oaks.

The 1 1/8 mile race has attracted 12 fillies with Eight Belles and jockey Ramon Dominguez drawing the far outside post position.

Eight Belles is campaigned by Fox Hill Farms who raced Hard Spun to a second place finish in last year's Kentucky Derby. The filly is undefeated this year in four starts, including victories in the Fantasy, Honeybee and Martha Washington Stakes.

Overall, Eight Belles has career earnings of $308,650 with five wins in nine starts.

Larry Jones also has highly regarded Proud Spell in the race. Proud Spell will start from post eight with Gabriel Saez returning to ride. He is the only rider the filly has ever had and will be aboard Eight Belles should she go in the Kentucky Derby.

Owned by former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones, Proud Spell has never been out of the money in seven career starts. She was second to Indian Blessing in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile filly race and this year captured the Fair Grounds Oaks. In her career Proud Spell has earned $938,770 with four wins.

"She should be the favorite or at least second choice based on what she's accomplished," said Larry Jones.

Here is the complete field for the Kentucky Oaks in post position order: Golden Doc A, Kent Desormeaux; Absolutely Cindy, Julien Leparoux; Awesome Chic, Robby Albarado; Elusive Lady, Eibar Coa; Rasierra, Jamie Theriot; Country Star, Rafael Bejarano; Little Belle, Rajiv Marav; Proud Spell, Gabriel Saez; A to the Croft, Calvin Borel; Bsharpsonata, Eric Camacho; Pure Clan, Edgar Prado and Eight Belles, Ramon Dominguez.

The Kentucky Oaks will broadcast on ESPN2 beginning at 5 p.m. (et). The Oaks will be the 10th of 11 races at Churchill Downs on Friday with a post-time of 5:45 p.m. (et).

The weather forecast for Louisville on Friday calls for a possible thunderstorm in the afternoon, post-time temperature around 70.

On Saturday, clouds and sun with thunderstorms possible in the morning. Clouds and sun with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon with a post-time temperature around 65.