Published: May 02, 2008 01:31 am            

KENTUCKY DERBY: Better than the boys? Eight Belles trying to become first filly to win Derby in 20 years

Larry Jones was waiting for a sign from God. Or any sign, really.

“Even if it’s some nitwit putting a sign on I-64,” said a laughing Jones outside of Barn 43 on the backside of Churchill Downs. “With ‘don’t do it’ painted on there.”

It turned out that the roadways remained free of advice for the outspoken trainer and the omen never came. Thus, on Wednesday, when Jones’ filly Eight Belles drew the fifth position for Saturday’s 134th Run for the Roses, he figured he’d never gotten a compelling reason to keep her out of the race.

Prior to the draw, the question surrounding Eight Belles — will she or won’t she? — was among the most interesting in the busy week prior to the legendary race. But when team Eight Belles drew the 12th position in today’s Kentucky Oaks, the course became obvious.

Now there’s a new question — is Jones crazy?

“It’s been done before,” said the trainer who, prior to last year’s enormous success with Hard Spun has built a career working with the ladies. “But it takes a special horse to do it.”

Eight Belles, an impresively-sized filly, won’t be giving up much size to the boys, and she has already proven she has what it takes to earn the tag of “special.”

She has won her last four starts by wide margins, taking the Honeybee and the Fantasy at Oaklawn Park by a combined 30 1/2 lengths. Sired by Unbridled’s Song — the fifth-place finisher in the 1996 edition of the Derby — she runs with a style perfect for the mile and a half trip, preferring to stalk just off the leaders.

Of course, Eight Belles may find a tougher opponent than favorites Big Brown and Colonel John — history.

In 133 races, only three fillies have worn the garland of roses, and it hasn’t happened since Winning Colors of the feat in 1988. The list of victorious females also includes Regret (1915) and Genuine Risk (1980).

While he may be crazy, Jones is well aware of the forces working against both he and Eight Belles’ owner, Rick Porter, who missed the Derby with Rockport Harbor in 2005 and came achingly close to winning it with Hard Spun last year.

“This isn’t something that I necessarily look forward to,” Jones said. “I never said it was the smartest thing to do, but it might just be the right year.”

Jones could have a point.

Major questions surround nearly every big name in the Derby, and Jones pointed out that history also would count out Big Brown who, like 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin, has had only three career starts. Second choice Colonel John has taken well to the dirt at Churchill Downs in his workouts, but has yet to be tested off synthetic tracks.

“There’s a lot of talent in this year’s field, but it seems like a lot of the colts have questions,” Jones said. “We thought about it (entering Eight Belles), and as time progressed, no colt really showed to be unbeatable.”

The money says that Jones could very well be a little off his rocker. Eight Belles will go off as a longshot on Saturday afternoon, with opening odds at 15-1.

But with five wins in nine starts and career earnings of $308,650 for Porter’s Fox Hill Farms, along with an undefeated record in 2008, there is no reason to believe that Jones is being reckless.

And no sign to prove it.

“We just keep telling outselves the slogan — that anything a colt can do, a filly can do better,” Jones said.



EIGHT BELLES

OWNER: Fox Hill Farms (Rick Porter)

JOCKEY: Gabriel Saez

SIRE: Unbridled’s song

CAREER WINS: Five (last win was in Gr. 2 Fantasy at Oaklawn Park on April 6)

CAREER EARNINGS: $308,650

        

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