(From Keeneland)
Fox Hill Farms’ Eight Belles and Brereton Jones’ Proud Spell, two fillies who have either the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) or the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (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.
“We just wanted to stretch their legs,” said Cindy Jones, wife of and assistant to trainer Larry Jones.
With Gabriel Saez aboard, Eight Belles did a bit more than stretch her legs, covering a half-mile in :46.60, second-fastest of 39 works at the distance. The work was her first since she won the Fantasy (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park April 6. The daughter of Unbridled's Song was timed galloping out in :59 2/5.
“She went a little too fast,” Cindy Jones said about Eight Belles, “but the other one was perfect—just exactly what he (Larry Jones) wanted.”
Proud Spell, with Saez aboard, worked in :50.20 and galloped out in 1:02. The work was the first for the Proud Citizen filly since she finished third in the Ashland (gr. I) at Keeneland April 6.
Both fillies are scheduled to work again at Churchill and then?
“We don’t know,” Cindy Jones said about their next races. “The decision will be made at entry time.”