NEWS
Brereton Jones leaving Derby option open for Proud Spell
Posted: Thursday, April 17, 2008 4:15 PM
PROUD SPELL
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Jeff Lowe
Owner-breeder Brereton Jones is at least kicking around the idea of running Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Proud Spell in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), which could place trainer Larry Jones in the unique position of having two fillies in the classic.
Larry Jones also trains Fantasy Stakes (G2) winner Eight Belles, whom owner Rick Porter is considering for either the Kentucky Oaks (G1) or Kentucky Derby.
Proud Spell finished third to Little Belle in the Ashland Stakes (G1) on April 5 at Keeneland Race Course in her first start over a synthetic surface. She won the Fair Grounds Oaks by 2 1/4 lengths on March 8 over champion Indian Blessing.
In her other start this year, Proud Spell finished second to Indian Blessing in the Silverbulletday Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Proud Spell and Eight Belles were late nominations for the Triple Crown at a cost of $6,000 each.
With $880,000 in graded stakes earnings, Proud Spell would have no trouble making it into the Derby field.
“Proud Spell has run exceptionally good [speed figures] with the exception of the Ashland, which wasn’t terrible, but it was third,” said Brereton Jones, who stands Proud Spell’s sire, Proud Citizen, at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky. “In both of her races at the Fair Grounds, she ran better Beyer numbers and better Ragozin numbers than Pyro.
“At the time I nominated her, Pyro was the Derby favorite, and you could make the pitch that neither of them liked the Polytrack that well. So it’s at least fun to think about.”
Proud Spell’s other option would be the Kentucky Oaks on May 2. Jones said a decision would probably follow her scheduled workout at Churchill Downs on April 27.
Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
