Look out boys, a filly could be in Derby

Look out fellas, a filly might be joining the Kentucky Derby fray.

Eight Belles, a top 3-year-old filly with a four-race winning streak, is under serious consideration for the Derby on May 3.

"I'd like to see her in the Derby, she can compete with them," Eight Belles owner Rick Porter said Sunday. "But there still are a few things that need to be worked out."

Eight Belles, winner of the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 6 in her last start, is set for a Tuesday workout at Keeneland. If trainer Larry Jones believes the filly is on her game and training well, then Porter plans to enter Eight Belles in the May 3 Derby.

However, Porter also said he will enter the filly in the May 2 Kentucky Oaks. Which race Eight Belles runs in will be determined after the Derby post position draw on Wednesday, April 30. The Oaks draw is a day earlier.

"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, who operates Fox Hill Farms, said. "Then we'd have the option of running in the Oaks, but I think she can run with the boys."

It's rare when fillies run in Triple Crown races. Only three have won the Derby — Regret in 1915, Genuine Risk in 1980 and Winning Colors in 1988. Thirty-eight fillies have run in the Derby, the most recent being Excellent Meeting (fifth) and Three Ring (19th) in 1999.

Last year, Rags to Riches became the first filly in 102 years to win the Belmont Stakes.

A full field of 20 horses is expected for the Derby, including top 3-year-old colts Big Brown, Colonel John, Pyro and War Pass.

Eight Belles is the Oaks future wager favorite at 5-1, and has won five of nine races. The daughter of Unbridled's Song won the Fantasy with jockey Ramon Dominguez aboard.