Pedigree

Proud Spell is by first-crop sire Proud Citizen, who finished a game second to War Emblem in the 2002 Kentucky Derby (G1) after chasing the wire-to-wire winner throughout. By Gone West, whose other successful sons at stud include Elusive Quality (sire of 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones) and Grand Slam, Proud Citizen is out of a mare by French champion miler Green Forest. Proud Citizen made an immediate impression at stud, being represented by River Proud, winner of the Somerville Tattersall S. (Eng-G3) at Newmarket, in addition to Proud Spell. However, his pedigree is slanted toward speed, and his runners' ability at longer distances remains unknown.

Proud Spell's dam, Pacific Spell, raced 16 times and won two races, including her last start in which she was claimed for the bargain price of $7,500. She is by Langfuhr, himself a top class miler who enjoyed a tremendous year in 2007 as a sire through the exploits of Lawyer Ron, and Langfuhr is already showing promise as a broodmare sire. Pacific Spell is out of a mare that won two sprints and also produced the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Call Her Magic.

With little true stamina influence on either side of Proud Spell's pedigree, it must be questioned as to whether she will be at her best over the 1 1/8-mile trip in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).