For the first time since 1999, a filly may be making a run for the roses. The last time a filly has won the Kentucky Derby? 1988. Regret won it first in 1915; Genuine Risk took it in 1980; and Winning Colors was the last filly to win the Kentucky Derby in 1988.

Eight Belles has won all four of her starts this year, including the Honeybee at Oaklawn Park, but her owner Rick Porter isn’t sure he’ll race her in the Kentucky Oaks, where she’s favored to win, or the Kentucky Derby, where she’ll be racing with the big boys.

“Based on her talent, her ability, and her versatility, we think she belongs and can compete with colts at the very top end. We wouldn’t run her if we didn’t think we could win (the Derby),” Porter said.

Eight Belles has been training hard and depending on how well she does at Churchill Downs will determine which race she’ll run.

“The only negative is she doesn’t break sharply from the gate, and if she got an outside post in the Derby that wouldn’t help us,” Porter said. “Then we’d have the option of running in the Oaks, but I think she can run with the boys.”

Eight Belles Graded Earnings: $210,000
Eight Belles Race Record: 9-5-2-1

My Top 10 Kentucky Derby Picks:
1. Eight Belles
2. Big Brown
3. Colonel John
4. Pyro
5. Z Fortune
6. Gayego
7. Cool Coal Man
8. Adriano
9. Monba
10. Visionaire

Watch the YouTube video of the 2008 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park, in which Eight Belles won.