Eight Belles Expected to Scratch

Fantasy S. (G2) winner EIGHT BELLES (Unbridled's Song) is the top draw in Friday's $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (G1), but the Larry Jones runner is expected to scratch in favor of Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1). Jones will still be well-represented by Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) heroine PROUD SPELL (Proud Citizen) in the 134th running of the 1 1/8-mile event for three-year-old fillies, and other contenders in the 12-horse field include BSHARPSONATA (Pulpit), COUNTRY STAR (Empire Maker), LITTLE BELLE (A.P. Indy) and PURE CLAN (Pure Prize).

Winner of the Matron S. (G2) and runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) last season, Proud Spell finished second to champion Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie) when opening 2008 in the Silverbulletday S. (G3), but the Brereton Jones homebred turned the tables on her rival in the Fair Grounds Oaks, scoring by 2 1/4 lengths. She never appeared comfortable over the Polytrack at Keeneland in the Ashland S. (G1) last time out, but managed to offer a solid rally for third, beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Gabriel Saez will retain the mount.

Little Belle and Bsharpsonata, the respective one-two finishers in the Ashland, could both be dangerous on Friday. Little Belle will bring a three-race winning skein into the Oaks, winning the Ashland in near wire-to-wire fashion, and the Kiaran McLaughlin pupil figures to show speed under Rajiv Maragh. Bsharpsonata is a hard-hitting lass from the Timothy Salzman stable. Winner of the grassy Tropical Park Oaks on New Year's Day, the bay filly switched back to dirt and added the Forward Gal S. (G2) and Davona Dale S. (G2) to her resume before missing by only a neck in the Ashland. Eric Camacho will ride.

Pure Clan finished second and third to Eight Belles in the Honeybee S. (G3) and Fantasy, respectively, but the chestnut is eligible to run a big race in her Churchill return. The Bob Holthus-trained filly recorded a pair of sharp wins under the Twin Spires last November, garnering the Golden Rod S. (G2) and Pocahontas S. (G3), and she'll get a new jockey in Edgar Prado. Multiple Grade 1 victress Country Star also merits serious respect. She didn't fire when fifth as the favorite in the Ashland last time, but the Bobby Frankel trainee was making her sophomore debut off a lengthy layoff. Country Star will be a major player if she runs back to her winning form in the Hollywood Starlet S. (G1) and Alcibiades S. (G1) last year.

Las Virgenes S. (G1) winner GOLDEN DOC A (Unusual Heat), runner-up in the Beaumont S. (G2) at Keeneland most recently, will bring commendable credentials into her dirt debut, and the California-bred miss will break from the rail with Kent Desormeaux, who has the mount on likely Kentucky Derby favorite Big Brown (Boundary). AWESOME CHIC (Awesome Again), last seen recording a smart 4 1/2-length winner of the Florida Oaks (G3), and Grade 3 queen ELUSIVE LADY (Van Nistelrooy) are also entered.

In post order, the Oaks contestants are Golden Doc A; ABSOLUTELY CINDY (Arch), Julien Leparoux; Awesome Chic, Robby Albarado; Elusive Lady, Eibar Coa; RASIERRA (Kafwain), Jamie Theriot; Country Star, Rafael Bejarano; Little Belle; Proud Spell; A TO THE CROFT (Menifee), Calvin Borel; Bsharpsonata; Pure Clan; and Eight Belles, Ramon Dominguez.

All runners will carry 121 pounds.