3/16 (OP): Honeybee (Gr. III) with Eight Belles
 

9th (5:11) Honeybee S. (G3)

1 1/16 Miles | Fillies | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $100,000

1 Kadira Melancon L 117 L
2 Cozy Mesa Emigh C A 119 L
3 Vancy Pants Thompson T J 117 L
4 Pure Clan Leparoux J R 119 L
5 Salomea Borel C H 117 L
6 Eight Belles Dominguez R A 119 L

I'm surprised no one posted about this race. Eight Belles towers over Pure Clan in figures and recency, but my thought is she peaked too early. We'll see.

I think the fillies could beat the boys in the Derby this year, they seem to be on fairly even levels right now.

When Eight Belles ran that 100 Beyer figure at the Fair Grounds - there was only one other route race that day - it was a much slower MSW race for colts won by King's Silver Son...who ran an 80 Beyer in victory.

Basically, the subsequent 2nd place finisher in the Rebel Stakes yesterday was 20 points slower than Eight Belles on the same day - routing over the same race track.

i thought eight belles looked very good just now, with pure clan running a nice race but having to settle for second.

Now a graded stakes winner, Eight Belles wins again comfortably in the same time as the Rebel. she was hand ridden. Pure Clan closed too late.

Recency won today's race. I feel confident that Pure Clan can easily turn the tables now that she's got a race under her belt. She didn't have much chance to beat Eight Belles today. The winner is a nice horse though but I'll take Pure Clan over her.

I don't think it was a bad effort for Pure Clan, coming off the bench with a runstyle that does not fair well at Oaklawn. A couple of nice fillies right there.

Fillies all class
 

Yes A solid crop of fillies, Bsharpsonata, Country Star, Golden Doc A and Ariege, and Proud Spell are nice as well. We should have a very competitive Oaks.

I think either Pure Clan or Eight Bells could win the Ark Derby... pretty impressive win under a hand ride.

I agree. Hell, I'd throw Proud Spell or Indian Blessing in there too. They could all win the Arkansas Derby. Proud Spell or Indian Blessing could have won the Louisiana Derby too.

yeah watching the replay it was clear that Eight Belles was much the best. never asked. on the other hand Pure Clan went into an all out drive approaching the stretch and continued to the wire.

Definitely... the Fantasy could be one hell of a race if all three show up.

eight belles was very impressive. put her at the top of the list with proud spell and bsharp.
2008 fillies are far more interesting than the colts. the colts are a train-wreck that you can't help but watch.

Without anyone bigger shipping in for it I'd run her in the Ark Derby. Who can run with her male or female?

After what I saw, I maintain my posiiton that Eight Belles is the best 3 yr old in America, male or female. Will be interesting to see if Pure Clan after this start can best her next time. My gut feeling is...no.