Trainer Larry Jones

Born: 09/02/56, Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Resides: Hendersonville, Kentucky

Family: Cindy, wife; Amanda and Wendy, daughters;              Michael and Wesley, sons 

The thoroughbred racing year in 2008 was one of mixed emotions for Larry Jones. He had a good year for winners, developing the Remsen Stakes hero Old Fashioned and the Kentucky Oaks heroine Proud Spell, but lost the gallant filly, Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby. 

He saddled the winners of five stakes races at Oaklawn in a meeting while capturing 16 total races from 68 starters. His barn earned $623,490 at the Spa last season. 

Eight Belles won the Fantasy, Honeybee and Martha Washington last season at Oaklawn. She then took on the boys in the Kentucky Derby and finished second before breaking down when being pulled up after the race. 

Tragically, Eight Belles was euthanized on the track by Dr. Larry Bramlege, the on-call veterinarian. 

“She was such an outstanding filly. I will never get over her loss,”sighed a downhearted Jones. 

A year earlier, 2007, the Jones barn was headed by Fox Hill’s Hard Spun, one of the most talented three-old colts in racing. Hard Spun and Curlin were the only horses to dance all three legs of the Triple Crown. 

In earning $2,572,500 Hard Spun won the King’s Bishop, Kentucky Cup Classic, Lane’s End and LeComte. He finished second in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic and third in the Preakness. 

“I never dreamed we would have the year we had in 2007. That $5.9 million in purses our stable earned is something I’d always considered beyond me. Then, except for loss of the filly, we had another good year in 2008.” pointed out Larry. 

Jones had 31 horses at Oaklawn in 2008. He will have a few less in 2009. 

Larry and wife Cindy work together at the barn. He came into racing in 1982, then took out a trainer’s license two years later.  He won his first stakes race in 1986, that coming at Ellis Park with Capt. Bold.