Proud Spell Narrow Choice in Oaks Future

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Two fillies headed for a showdown in Keeneland's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 – Brereton Jones’ Proud Spell and Stonerside Stable’s Country Star – stood as the top two choices in Pool 3 of Churchill Downs’ 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager as the four-day betting pool reached its halfway point.

Proud Spell, a daughter of Proud Citizen   who handed 2-year-old filly champion Indian Blessing her first career loss in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), and Country Star, an Empire Maker filly with grade I victories in Keeneland’s Darley Alcibiades and the Hollywood Starlet, were close  at the top of the roster of 24 wagering interests in Pool 3. Proud Spell stood at odds of 7-2 at the end of betting April 4 and was favored over Country Star, who was a 5-1 risk.

The $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at 1 1/8 miles is May 2 at Churchill Downs.

A total of $9,335 was wagered through the first two days of the KOFW Pool. Wagering is set to resume at noon (all times EDT) April 5. Betting in Pool 3 will close April 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Friday’s betting saw a surge in support for Shes All Eltish, the winner of last week’s Bonnie Miss (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park. Odds on Shes All Eltish dipped from 17-1 to 7-1, and she was a narrow third choice over the mutuel field, which includes all 3-year-old fillies other than the 23 individual horses in Pool 3. The “all others” wager was the 8-1 fourth choice and was followed by Eight Belles at 10-1 and Bsharpsonata and Pure Clan, who closed at odds of 13-1.

Proud Spell, Country Star, and Bsharpsonata are among six Pool 3 wagering fillies that will compete in the Ashland, while Eight Belles, Pure Clan, and French Kiss will run in the $250,000 Fantasy (gr. II) April 6 at Oaklawn Park.

Real time odds on Pool 3 of the KOFW are available on the official Kentucky Oaks Web site at www.kentuckyoaks.com. 

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