16 Mzo. USA. Honeybee S. G3. Oaklawn Park. 8,5f. Dirt. 100.000 $
1.- EIGHT BELLES (R.Dominguez)
2.- PURE CLAN (J.Leparoux)
3.- KADIRA (L.Melancon)


Eight Belles accelerated into contention with a sweeping move on the turn and surged clear with an explosive burst of speed in the stretch to post a clear victory in the $100,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) on Sunday at Oaklawn Park.

The Unbridled’s Song filly powered to a commanding advantage leaving the turn under little urging and coasted to victory as the 3-to-5 favorite under jockey Ramon Dominguez. Grade 2 winner Pure Clan closed gamely in the final furlong to cut into the lead but never seriously threatened Eight Belles, who won by 1 1/4 lengths to record her third straight win and first graded stakes victory.

Kadira set the pace from the inside through a measured opening quarter in :24.31 and a half-mile in :48.72. Eight Belles raced comfortably in fourth early and launched her winning move when Dominguez let out a notch on the reins entering the turn.

Pure Clan was rated within striking distance in fifth under Julien Leparoux and quickened at the same time as Eight Belles but was unable to keep pace with the winner.

Eight Belles inhaled Salomea and Kadira nearing the stretch and powered away as Dominguez glanced over his shoulder in search of any threat to his mount.

In her first start since winning the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) on November 24 at Churchill Downs, runner-up Pure Clan found her best stride in the stretch and steadily closed the gap on Eight Belles, who held on to win in 1:43.91.

Trained by Larry Jones for owner Fox Hill Farms, Eight Belles entered off a 13 1/2-length romp in a division of the Martha Washington Stakes on February 17 at Oaklawn Park. She recorded a 15-length win in her season debut on January 21 at Fair Grounds.

Out of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Away, by Dixieland Band, Eight Belles improved to four wins in eight starts and boosted her earnings to $158,650.