Eight Belles Sweet in Honeybee Score

Though the margin by which EIGHT BELLES (Unbridled's Song) captured Sunday's $100,000 Honeybee S. (G3) at Oaklawn did not approach the blowout proportions for which she had become accustomed, the ease at which the the gray filly defeated the previously undefeated PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) was visually impressive nonetheless. Rating in third early while under a noticeably solid hold by jockey Ramon Dominguez, Eight Belles made a three wide move for the lead around the far turn, opened up down the lane as Dominguez sneaked a couple peeks back at the oncoming Pure Clan, and held off the late charge of that rival by 1 1/4 lengths while being wrapped up inside the final sixteenth. Final time for 1 1/16 miles over a fast track was 1:43 4/5.

Pure Clan, who had not raced since capturing the Golden Rod S. (G2) at Churchill last November, ran credibly off the layoff, but was never going to catch the winner. Pure Clan finished 2 1/4 lengths ahead of of the pacesetting Kadira (Kafwain), who was 8 1/2 lengths ahead of Vancy Pants (Van Nistelrooy). The field was rounded out by Cozy Mesa (Sky Mesa) and Salomea (Milwaukee Brew).

The 3-5 favorite in a field of six, Eight Belles returned $3.20, $2.20 and $2.20. Pure Clan paid $2.40 and $2.20 as the 2-1 second pick, while Kadira's backers got $2.80. The chalky exacta paid $5.80, and the $12 trifecta (6-4-1) payoff was not much more enriching.

A winner once in five starts last year, that being a 10-length victory in a Delaware Park maiden, Eight Belles has turned into a virtual powerhouse this season winning all three starts. A 15-length Fair Grounds allowance score and a 13 1/2-length romp in the second division of the Martha Washington S. at Oaklawn preceded her Honeybee win. Eight Belles' career mark now stands at 8-4-2-1 with earnings of $158,650.

A $375,000 purchase at the 2006 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Eight Belles is owned by Fox Hill Farms, which has also campaigned Grade 1 standouts Jostle, Round Pond, and Hard Spun. Eight Belles was bred in Kentucky by Robert Clay and Serengeti Stable.

Larry Jones, the trainer of Eight Belles, might be packing a strong one-two punch for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1) as he also conditions recent Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Proud Spell (Proud Citizen).

Eight Belles is the second winner from as many starters out of the mare Away (Dixieland Band), a stakes winner who also placed twice in Grade 3 company. Eight Belles' younger siblings also include an unnamed two-year-old filly by champion Smarty Jones and an unnamed yearling filly by Empire Maker.