Proud Spell

Two fillies headed for a showdown in Saturday’s Ashland Stakes (Grade I) at Keeneland – Brereton Jones’ Proud Spell and Stonerside Stable’s Country Star – stood as the top two choices in Pool 3 of Churchill Downs’ 2008 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager as the four-day betting pool reached its halfway point.

Jockey Robby Albarado, a finalist for last year's Eclipse Award as America's leading jockey who ranks seventh among the all-time riding leaders at Churchill Downs, earned his first "leading rider" title under the historic Twin Spires as the home of the Kentucky Derby wrapped up its 52-day Spring Meet on Sunday, July 6. 

A field of 12 three-year-old fillies, headed by Grade I winners Country Star, Little Belle and Golden Doc A as well as possible Kentucky Derby starter Eight Belles, was entered Tuesday for Friday’s 134th running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.