PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended

[TackleMeBen]

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles' jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.


Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.
PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky's racing authority claiming the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish" and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles' death is investigated.

"What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."

Guillermo said if Saez is found at fault, the group wants the second-place prize of $400,000 won by Eight Belles to be revoked.
Saez, a 20-year-old Panama native, was riding in his first Kentucky Derby. He frequently rides for Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones.
A call to the jockeys' room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.

Eight Belles, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby, appeared fine until collapsing while galloping out after the finish.
The letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority also sought a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses.

http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing...ckey-suspended

[fansince'76]

"What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."

They should have euthanized this idiot instead.

[TackleMeBen]

PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals. lol.

[MACH1]

Originally Posted by TackleMeBen

PETA = People Eating Tasty Animals. lol.

Theres a place for all of god's creatures.
Right next to the potatoes and gravy.

[TackleMeBen]

Originally Posted by MACH1

Theres a place for all of god's creatures.
Right next to the potatoes and gravy.

that is too funny... where is ted nugent when you need a good quote on PETA...lol

[HometownGal]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

They should have euthanized this idiot instead.

That would be a terrible waste of pentobarbital. I hate PETA with a passion.

This is such a sad incident, much like when Barbaro had to be euthanized. I love horses - co-owned a race stallion back in the early 90's and Anchor was more loving and sincere than most people.

RIP pretty lady.

[memphissteelergirl]

You had to expect these idiots were gonna have to grab some headlines about this.

It was truly sad that such a beautiful animal had to be destroyed, but it would have been more cruel to let her suffer....both her ankles were broken.

I do agree that that they should take a second look at how they breed racing horses, but at the same time it is something that happens in this sport....like it or not.

[TackleMeBen]

this is the same group of people that sent a letter to Palestine leader Yasser Arafat, saying that they shouldnt have strapped explosives to a donkey and sent it into Jerusalem. they said that recieved calls and letters from people that were shocked at the bombing and that the donkey died. they asked him to plead to his people to leave animals out of their conflict with Israel.

[Counselor]

Originally Posted by HometownGal

That would be a terrible waste of pentobarbital. I hate PETA with a passion.

This is such a sad incident, much like when Barbaro had to be euthanized. I love horses - co-owned a race stallion back in the early 90's and Anchor was more loving and sincere than most people.

RIP pretty lady.

Another thing we agree on HG. PETA is the biggest bunch of hypocrites in the world. And they have no idea what they are even talking about. A jockey who "felt a problem" pulls up---for his own safety as well as the animal. I find it shameful that PETA would pin the blame on the poor jockey who had tears steaming down his face---he's suffered enough and doesn't need PETA to use him as an opportunity to get their names in the media yet again.

As for Eight Belles---What a beautiful girl you were--and you raced so hard to beat everyone but Big Brown!

This sort of thing will never be removed from horse racing---or horse life in general---they can be fragile and powerful at the same time. The Jockey Club should consider some reforms to breeding standards perhaps---My guess is that that is probably the biggest cause of breakdowns becoming more common---breeding for speed with no eye on bone structure/substance. But no matter what, there will always be breakdowns. Hopefully, in the end, this will cause thoughful discourse more that reactionary backlash.

[GBMelBlount]

PETA can ETA my META!