Proud Spell reels in Indian Blessing in Fair Grounds Oaks

PROUD SPELL (Proud Citizen), second to champion Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie) in both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Silverbulletday S. (G3), exacted revenge on that rival with an off-the-pace rally in Saturday's $376,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). The three-year-old bay rated in second behind Indian Blessing, who showed her customary speed while racing off the rail. Indian Blessing set moderate fractions of :24 2/5 and :48 early, then moved to the rail around the far turn, forcing Proud Spell to move outside Indian Blessing to commence her rally. Through the stretch, Indian Blessing began to shorten stride while Proud Spell finished full of run down the middle of the track.

The winning margin was 2 1/4 lengths, with Proud Spell stopping the teletimer in 1:44 for 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track. Proud Spell paid $5.80 to win, and the exacta with Indian Blessing, the 1-5 favorite, paid $8.60. There was no place or show wagering. Indian Blessing was herself 11 1/2 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. Outsiders Acacia (Cherokee Run) and Wisconsin Lady (Stephen Got Even) finished third and fourth, respectively, and were never involved at any point.

The Fair Grounds Oaks was the third career stakes win for Proud Spell, who also captured the White Clay Creek S. at Delaware Park and the Matron S. (G2) at Belmont last year. Proud Spell was bred in Kentucky by her owner, Brereton Jones, a former governor of Kentucky, and is trained by Larry Jones. She was ridden in the Fair Grounds Oaks by regular pilot Gabriel Saez. Proud Spell now brandishes a record of 6-4-2-0, $888,770.

Proud Spell is out of the mare Pacific Spell (Langfuhr), a winner in two of 16 starts. Pacific Spell has produced one other winner, Lucky Roulette, a gelded son of Mazel Trick. Pacific Spell also has an unnamed two-year-old colt by Canadian Frontier and an unnamed yearling colt by Friends Lake.

Jones said that Proud Spell might make her next start in the April 5 Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland before pointing toward the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) Replay