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Rosie Wins the Oaks Aboard Believe You Can

Brereton Jones' homebred daughter of Proud Citizen runs past Broadway's Alibi to win the grade I Kentucky Oaks by three-quarters of a length.

Believe You Can Sizzles at Churchill

Brereton C. Jones' homebred Believe You Can sizzled five furlongs in :58 2/5 over a muddy track at Churchill Downs April 29 as the Proud Citizen filly completed her work for the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Trainer Jones to Field Questions on Podcast

The next edition of the live podcast Talkin' Horses with The Blood-Horse.com will feature trainer Larry Jones, who conditioned Havre de Grace to a Horse of the Year title in 2011.

Grade I Winner J P's Gusto to Journeyman Stud

J P's Gusto, a grade I-winning juvenile and successful 3-year-old sprinter, has been retired from racing and will stand in 2012 at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Journeyman Stud near Ocala, Fla.

Saez Arrested Following Domestic Incident

Jockey Gabriel Saez was arrested May 10 in New Castle, Del., on a domestic incident charge. The 23-year-old rider was released later that day on $100 unsecured bond.

Champion Proud Spell Delivers First Foal

Proud Spell, a daughter of Proud Citizen, was champion 3-year-old filly of 2008. Her most important wins came in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the Alabama Stakes (gr. I).

Delaware Park to Honor Larry Jones

Delaware Park will honor trainer J. Larry Jones for his accomplishments and dedication to racing with a special tribute at the Wilmington racetrack Saturday June 20.

Full Sister to Champion Proud Spell Foaled

A full sister to 2008 champion 3-year-old filly Proud Spell was foaled May 17.

Champion Proud Spell Retired

Brereton C. Jones' homebred champion Proud Spell has been retired from racing and bred to Indian Charlie.

Proud Spell Will Miss Apple Blossom

Proud Spell will miss the April 4 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, according to trainer Larry Jones.

Champion Proud Spell Upset in Comeback

Proud Spell, the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner, finished second to Superior Storm as the odds-on favorite when the filly made her 2009 debut March 12 in an allowance/optional claiming race Oaklawn Park.

Proud Spell Returns March 12 at Oaklawn

Champion Proud Spell returns to the races March 12 at Oaklawn Park, making her 2009 debut in a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claiming event. Her regular rider, Gabriel Saez, will be aboard as the 4-year-old filly prepares for the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 4 at Oaklawn.

Eclipse 3-Year-Old Filly: Proud Spell

Don't tell Proud Spell's owner and breeder, Brereton C. Jones, that his bay filly isn't tough. Even though the daughter of Proud Citizen lacks size, Jones has seen plenty of evidence that she's one of the grittiest runners on the track today.

Proud Spell Going Back in Training

Proud Spell, an earner of $2,123,610, has not raced since finishing second in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park last September. Prior to that effort, she scored in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I), and the Kentucky (gr. I), Alabama (gr. I), and Fair Grounds (gr. II) Oaks.

TPA Honors Jones With Special Award

The Turf Publicists of America announced Nov. 12 that Larry Jones, trainer of the 3-year-old fillies Proud Spell and Eight Belles, has been chosen as the 2008 winner of the organization's Big Sport of Turfdom award.

Seattle Smooth Has History on Her Side

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Four of Starsburg's top progeny were sired by Mr. Prospector-line stallions, so going back to this sire line when choosing a mate for Starsburg's unraced daughter Our Seattle Slew seemed like the right move. It was, having produced Seattle Smooth, who beat the top-rated sophomore filly Proud Spell in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II).

Trainer Jones to Retire by End of 2009

Trainer Larry Jones, who earlier this year saddled Proud Spell to win the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the following day had ill-fated Eight Belles finish second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), said he plans to retire by the end of 2009.

Proud Spell to Get Rest; May Run in 2009

Proud Spell, winner of the grade I Kentucky Oaks and Alabama, will be turned out at owner Brereton Jones' Airdrie Stud in Lexington, Ky., after which a decision will be made on whether to bring her back as a 4-year-old.

Seattle Smooth Upends Proud Spell in Pa.

Seattle Smooth, second choice behind Proud Spell, pulled away from the 2-5 favorite in the stretch to win the Sept. 20 Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park. She won the $750,000 race by 2 1/2 lengths.

HRTV: Pursuit of the Cup Sept 19 (Video)

HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This episode includes recaps of the Futurity and the Arlington-Washington Futurity and the Monmouth Stakes, preview of the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes, and much, much more.

That Handicapping Show: Sept. 18 (Video)

This week, Jason and Tom take on the Super Derby. Plus, selections from from Cary Fotias of Equiform for the Super Derby, the Fitz Cotillion and Arlington Park Race 3, Sept. 20.

Proud Spell Eyes Big Purse in Cotillion

On Sept. 20, Proud Spell will shoot for her biggest payday to date, as she takes on six rivals in the $750,000 Fitz Dixon Cotillion (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack. On paper, the 1 1/16-mile dirt event is a significant step down in class for the Proud Citizen filly, who has won four times this season, including the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Alabama Stakes (gr. I).

Proud Spell Could Be Breeders' Cup Bound

Not long after Curlin's majority owner Jess Jackson indicated the reigning Horse of the Year might show up at Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup after all, trainer Larry Jones stated that Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell could be headed to California too. Jones, who previously said Proud Spell was unlikely for the Breeders' Cup, made the comments during a national media teleconference Sept. 16.

Jones Going For Matron Repeat

A year ago, Larry Jones saddled Proud Spell to victory in the Matron Stakes (gr. II). Jones can only hope his entry in this year's Matron, On the Menu, is destined for the same kind of success. On Sept. 13, she tries stakes company for the first time in the prestigious $250,000 event for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont.

Proud Spell Another Likely BC No-Show

With Curlin all but ruled out as a potential starter for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) by majority owner Jess Jackson due to the synthetic surface, it looks as though another division leader, Proud Spell, also will bypass the Breeders' Cup, according to trainer Larry Jones.

Proud Spell Gets Final Word in Alabama

Proud Spell reasserted her position as the best 3-year-old filly in the land when she bettered Music Note in a stirring stretch drive to win the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) by a head at Saratoga Aug. 16.

Music Note Adds to Alabama Intrigue

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell takes on at least one-half of a powerful Godolphin Stable entry in a small but entertaining line-up for the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 16.

Music Note Likely Alabama Bound

Godolphin's Music Note, impressive winner of the grade I Mother Goose and Coaching Club American Oaks likely will stay in her own division and point for the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 16.

African Violet Looking to Break Through

When last seen, J. Mack Robinson's homebred African Violet was dueling in the stretch with Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell in the July 12 Delaware Oaks (gr. II). Although coming up three-quarters of a length short that day, the daughter of Lemon Drop Kid proved she can run with the best 3-year-old fillies in the nation.

Suroor's Pair Formidable in CCA Oaks

The coupled entry of Music Note and Little Belle, both grade I winners trained by Saeed bin Suroor, head a short field of five in the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) July 19 at Belmont, but don't count out Acoma, a good-looking Empire Maker filly who enters off a three-race win streak.

Proud Spell Rebounds in Delaware Oaks

Prohibitive favorite Proud Spell bounced back from a rough trip in the Mother Goose (gr. I) just two weeks ago to win the $500,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. I) in determined fashion July 12.

Proud Spell Heads Delaware Oaks Field

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell tosses name into field for Delaware Oaks (gr. II) July 12 at Delaware Park.

Music Note Wins 'Goose; Proud Spell DQ'd

In her first start since winning the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Proud Spell had a horrible trip that ended with being disqualified from second to third as Music Note won the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park June 28.

Proud Spell Faces Only 3 in Mother Goose

A three-time graded stakes winner, including a dominating five-length triumph in the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) last month, Brereton Jones' Proud Spell will face just three fillies in the $250,000 Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) June 28 at Belmont Park none of them with any more than an allowance win to their credit.

Churchill Super Looking for Fast Track

For the first time since 2004, there is a chance the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will be run over a sloppy track.

Big Brown Narrow Choice in Betting

Just like the morning line suggested, bettors in the advance wagering have installed Big Brown as the favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Oaks/Derby Daily Double Will Pays

Oaks/Derby daily double players make Big Brown favorite in Saturday's Derby.

Proud Spell Splashes to Oaks Victory

Trainer Larry Jones scratched the filly Eight Belles from the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and then proceeded to win the race with Proud Spell.

Daily Oaks Notes: April 30

Country Star, Elusive Lady, and Little Belle, scheduled to arrive today; A to the Croft, Awesome Chic, and Proud Spell gallop.

Jones Girls Rule Kentucky Oaks Line-Up

Trainer Larry Jones took it as a sign of better things to come when his Eight Belles drew the outside 12 post for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), but all was not lost for the Kentucky-born trainer when his Proud Spell drew post 8 in the 1 1/8-mile race for the lilies on the first Friday in May.

Joneses Hope Buddy Is Lucky Derby Charm

Trainer Larry Jones and his wife and assistant, Cindy, may have found a lucky charm for one of racing's biggest weeks. It's a nine-month-old African grey parrot named Buddy.

Kentucky Derby Trail: California Comets

With each day, more and more questions are being answered. We now know Colonel John at least can work like the dickens on dirt; we know that Proud Spell will run in the Oaks, letting Bob Black Jack in the Derby; we know that Smooth Air is feeling fine again; and we know that Gayego is looking and training awesome.

Proud Spell to Oaks Only

Former Kentucky Gov. Brereton C. Jones said April 27 that Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Proud Spell would be pointed only to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and not the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Saez to Ride Eight Belles if in Derby

Should Eight Belles run in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands instead of the previous day's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), jockey Gabe Saez will have the mount, trainer Larry Jones said April 24.

Tale of Ekati Breezes in 1:00 1/5

Trainer Barclay Tagg sent Tale of Ekati out for a five-furlong work Wednesday morning at Keeneland, and was pleased with the colt's performance.

Eight Belles, Proud Spell Both Work

Fox Hill Farms' Eight Belles and Brereton Jones' Proud Spell, two fillies who have either the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) or the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in their immediate futures, each worked a half-mile April 20 in their final moves at Keeneland before they are shipped to Churchill Downs April 25.

'Day-to-Day' on Eight Belles Decision

Trainer Larry Jones said it is still up in the air whether his filly Eight Belles will challenge the boys in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) or if she will battle the fillies the day before in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Eight Belles Narrow Oaks Future Favorite

Fox Hill Farms' Eight Belles, who made the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park her fourth consecutive victory, emerged as a narrow favorite as the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager concluded April 6.

Proud Spell Narrow Choice in Oaks Future

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.

Country Star, Proud Spell in Ashland

A field of seven, headlined by graded stakes winners Country Star and Proud Spell, will take to the gate for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland.