Eight Belles' Death Sparks Controversy

Demise Of Filly In Kentucky Derby Prompts Debate Over Image And Safety Of Horse Racing

(CBS/AP)  Two days after Big Brown blazed across the finish line, the snapshot of Eight Belles down on the dirt set off a raging debate that extended far beyond the Kentucky Derby: Is horse racing now facing an image crisis?

With the memory of Barbaro still fresh, Eight Belles' catastrophic breakdown Saturday put increasing focus on a sport already trying to overcome a decline in popularity.

Her death has raised thorny issues about the whole thoroughbred industry, including track safety, whether fillies should be allowed to run against colts, and whether horses are bred too much for speed and not for soundness.

Congressman Ed Whitield of Kentucky, who is trying to toughen regulation of horseracing, told CBS News correspondent Chip Reid that breakdowns are far more common than people think, and are on the rise. Whitfield said that one reason for the rise is that the big money is not in racing horses anymore, it's in breeding them.

"These horses really are expendable commodities," Whitfield said. "You want to get the most out of them for a short period of time, and hopefully they are good enough to go into breeding."

A prominent animal rights group got involved Sunday, too, criticizing Eight Belles' jockey for whipping the horse and saying the second-place prize should be revoked.

But to horse people, it wasn't all that simple.

"To make it safer, don't race the horses, don't train them, then they'll live good lives out on the farm," Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said.

"But you have to train them for races, you have to run them and that's where the problems start to set in. They have to be asked to run and sometimes in a particular minute, they're asked to run when they're not ready to give it and then it hurts."

While Big Brown's bid to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years will certainly gain momentum in the next couple of weeks, Eight Belles and the sight of fans crying in the stands remained a focal point Sunday.

"Filly's Death Casts Shadow over Kentucky Derby," read The New York Times.

"Tragedy mars Kentucky Derby as the only filly dies after race," the Los Angeles Times' Web site said.

Churchill Downs officials were unsure whether there had been a fatality in the Kentucky Derby. Superintendent Butch Lehr said there hadn't been one in his 41 years at the track.

The death of Eight Belles may have been rare because it occurred well after the finish line, but it's just the latest trauma to happen at a major race on national television.

Two years ago, Derby winner Barbaro shattered his fight rear leg at the start of the Preakness, with more than 100,000 people gasping at the site of the undefeated colt in distress as he was led into an equine ambulance. Barbaro was euthanized eight months later after developing laminitis as a result of the injuries.

Dr. Dean Richardson, the veterinary surgeon who tried valiantly to save Barbaro, told CBS' The Early Show that Eight Belles' injuries were very different from Barbaro's.

"It is extraordinarily for a racehorse to break down the way Eight Belles did after the race is finished," Richardson said.

Eight Belles suffered fractures of both feet. In the left foot, the fracture was so severe it tore through the skin.

"A horse can get around on three legs temporarily. It's impossible for a horse to get around on just its hind legs," Richardson said.

Now, there are more questions about track safety.

Barbaro's demise helped push forward the installation of synthetic surfaces to replace traditional dirt tracks at several tracks, including Keeneland, Santa Anita, Arlington Park, Hollywood Park, Golden Gate Fields, Del Mar, Turfway and Presque Isle. A new on-track injury reporting program seems to indicate the surface is having the desired effect.

Reports by veterinarians at 34 tracks across the country between June 2007 and early this year showed synthetic tracks averaged 1.47 fatalities per 1,000 starts, compared with 2.03 fatalities per 1,000 starts for horses that ran on dirt.

But not everyone is convinced.

"This is a very big issue and needs to be discussed," two-time Derby winning trainer Nick Zito said. "You're changing the whole game. Big Brown ran on dirt yesterday, he's going for history. You can't tell me the Polytrack is history. It's not yet, there isn't enough data yet."

That's not saying Zito and other horsemen are not interested in making racetracks safer for both horses and jockeys.

"If you told me, `Look, we have a device that these horses can run on pillows and never get hurt the rest of lives,' I'd say, `Where do I sign?"' Zito said. "There's injuries on the Polytrack, too. Now you see why I'm saying it's a big issue."

While breakdowns always have been a part of racing, there has been more of an outcry lately calling for drastic action.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement Sunday calling for the suspension of Eight Belles jockey Gabriel Saez. The group also asked for the "revocation of the second place prize."

Saez was riding in his first Kentucky Derby when Eight Belles broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter-mile past the finish line.

"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."

A call to the jockeys' room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.

The Kentucky state racing stewards make decisions on suspensions, but there is no racing at Churchill Downs until Wednesday. At that time, the stewards could review a tape of the race if a formal request is made.

Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones disputed any suggestion that his horse had no business taking on the boys.

"It wasn't that, it wasn't the distance, it wasn't a big bumping match for her, she never got touched," he said. "She passed all those questions ... with flying colors. The race was over, all we had to do was pull up, come back and be happy. It just didn't happen."

On Sunday morning, Jones stood next to his Kentucky Oaks-winning filly, Proud Spell, receiving condolences from friends and fellow trainers.

"Got here at 5 a.m.," Jones said. "Got to go on. It's hard, but it's what we do."

Just then, Barbaro's trainer Michael Matz drove past Jones' barn stopped his car and rolled down the window. On Friday, Matz watched another one of his horses, Chelokee, suffer a life-threatening injury in the Alysheba Stakes. He had just returned from Lexington, where the horse was set for surgery Monday to fuse his injured ankle.

"Sorry, Larry," Matz said.

"I know you know what it's like, thank you," Jones said. "How's yours doin'?"

"Doing good, they're going to operate tomorrow," Matz said.

Dutrow was still basking in Big Brown's victory, well aware that an injury can strike at any time.

"No matter what happens, you're always going to see horses break down on the track," he said. "That is part of this game. It's a very sad part of the game, but you have to go through it.

"For people coming out to the track and seeing that, it's got to make them think, `Man, why would I want to go out there and see that happen to a horse?"' he said. "It's got to be very disappointing to anyone who loves horses."

[xraytwonine]

"...euthanized after breaking both front ankles following a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby."

Forcing another being to do our bidding is our nature...

[aforet2]

These animals are bred to run, unfortunately there will allways be break downs. When we have "break downs" with humans we do not say stop making them or don''t do these things you will get hurt!!! Leave the horse alone. and by the way I am a very big horse lover.

[xlib]

This certainly was a tragedy. However, as for peta and any part they may play in this, I have a real problem with them. When they start to protest against the clubbing of baby seals in Canada then I may start taking them seriously. They tend to pick and chose what they feel as inhumane. To me, clubbing baby seals is pretty d*&m inhumane.

[misands]

When we have "break downs" with humans we do not say stop making them or don''''t do these things you will get hurt!!! Leave the horse alone. and by the way I am a very big horse lover. - Posted by aforet2 at 08:35 AM
________________
What a dumb comment. People don''t have to be put to sleep if they break their legs in a race! Also, people race voluntarily...the horse has no say. I think you love the entertainment horses provides you, not the horses themselves.

[ksrb1]

Of course PETA - the people who have the highest kill rate of ''rescued'' animals on the planet - would think it has something to say. Animals - including horses - given to PETA by naive owners have a better chance of survival in the Calcutta dog pound than in their clutches. I hope Gabriel Saez loses no sleep over their idiotic statements and accusations.

[nonayabiness]

Seems that horse racing is a cruel sport to me.

[michellem99-2009]

We used to listen to the horse races that pulled a cart and that is weree he sat. I think it is sad she died..

[cheddarboy82]

That horse shouldn''t have died. And besides that, what a dumb event. A midget riding a horse, fun stuff. They make all that money over the weekend and don''t even attempt to save her ? shameful

[klw86]

Tragedy. I would like to read more about the legal use of drugs in horse racing. I have heard these drugs include pain killers and stimulants. For all we know, this filly would have not run had she the choice, but may have been pumped full of a "cocktail" of drugs to mask any pain she could have been feeling. The same for Barbarro and the others. The use of drugs in horse racing needs to be banned.

[tvgenius]

To me, I don''t mind horse races, but I have a serious problem when horses are injured. Let''s equate this to NASCAR. One death, Dale Earnhardt, led to sweeping changes in all cars, and even had a ripple effect to other forms of racing. After Barbaro''s injury during a Triple Crown run less than two years ago (and who knows how many others at smaller, non-nationally-televised races), there needs to be a serious evaluation of safety.

I saw a separate equestrian event on NBC Sunday. At the end, they mentioned that as a result of two horses being put down there, there were already meetings scheduled to evaluate changes that could be made to prevent future injury. Quite a contrast from NBC''s coverage of the Derby where they did their best to not mention Eight Belle''s death, while showing classless people celebrating in the stands.

[winniesd]

I am shocked an apalled that CBS would choose to air such graphic footage of the efforts of racehorse with two broken legs trying to get to her feet during any broadcast.let alone over and over and over?!

Does your news program need to sell soap so badly that they air such horrible and tragic footage? Do you think your audience so stupid and heartless that a picture of her lying on the track with an newscaster stating that both front legs were broken is not sufficient to convey the gravity of the situation?

Shame on your news director for this broadcast! I, for one, will be watching a different morning broacast on a different network tomorrow.

[lilbabe99]

I was there Saturday. Eight Belles ran an amazing race, did phenomenally against the boys & made every woman there proud to be be a woman! She kicked butt & gave her everything to do it. Nothing Gabriel Saez did could have prevented it! He & Larry Jones loved that horse, & took pride in the heart and character of that horse. She was truely a treasure & I know that she will be missed in the racing world for many years to come! The only shame is the way people have come to disgrace her name & her rider & the race she clearly enjoyed. If you don''t like to watch the racing, simply don''t watch. You feel its wrong, let other enjoy it. Some people feel hockey is too violent, others don''t. Just let them enjoy whatever brings them happiness.

[walkshe]

I think everyone in the media is missing the point. PETA is condemning the jocky for whipping the horse....not the point. Others are saying fillies shouldn''t run with colts....not the point. The real point is that these are 2 YEAR OLDS! They''re simply babies and their bones are still growing. They''re not mature enough to withstand the physical and sometimes mental stress they''re being made to deal with. If they''re racing as 2 year olds, they''re started at I''m guessing 18 months. Horses normally don''t reach their maturity until they''re 5 or so. These babies are so big...their growth is pushed but are their bones really growing to keep up with their bodies? Just a thought.

[aforet2]

Posted by misands at 09:07 AM : May 05, 2008

To you I don''t have race horses I have working quarter horse who naturally want to work cows. I do not go to the races very often even though there is a track less than 50 miles from my house. I love and respect horses and any animal for what they want to do. We should look at what we put humans through with no regrets at all..wars, starvation, abusing & killing innocent children. get a grip :(:(

[extremophil]

Euthanize PETA

[hawksprings]

I''m a member of P.E.T.A. - People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.

[missybelle-2009]

PETA: Get a grip. The idea of stripping the horse of her 2nd place finish, and condemning the jockey are kneejerk reactions to a tragic incident. If you people invested a quarter of your time and energy in human beings, children living in inhumane conditions, lack of food, medical care, etc. instead of bonding with dumb animals you''d be much better off. Of course, the insane interest in protecting animal rights probably stems from a lack of connection with human beings in the first place...

[lilbabe99]

You are right. Some horses WANT to do the things they are breed for. Some just don''t. Do we try to "make" them do what we want? Yes. But does that mean that they will actually love what they do? No. And you are very right, aforet2, there are MILLIONS of things that humans are forced to do that they may, or may not, WANT to do.

[rights4all]

This makes me sick. I was rooting for Barbaro to recover and now to see another tragedy is just sickening. All these have to happen for human greed and vanity? When are we going to stop making other animals or people suffer in the name of sports and riches? Is that really sports?

[shanev137]

Our government just approved torturing and maiming humans, so what''s the difference if we do it to animals during a money race.

[jetlizhan]

stop racing these magnificent animals!!!! let them breed, run for fun and exercise only. my heart was broken as i stood there saturday in horror and wept for this beautiful filly. hel.l, i wasn''t even over barbaro''s death and now this. this must stop. the deep pockets are deep enough.

[codymac4]

These PETA people kill me. What a bunch of idiots. First of all, they are some of the most violent people around. A friend and I were assaulted by 3 of them while attending a rodeo in South Dakota. Horse racing is no different than any other sport. There is a risk of injury. Those horses love to run. They are also treated better than most people''s kids. Everybody wearing a PETAhirt deserves to have their *** kicked.

[sistatee-2009]

Let''s have owner races instead of horse races. Saddle up the fat butts of the owners and whip them around the track. Talk about fun! Who wouldn''t pay to watch that?
And if they fall and get hurt...euthanasia baby!

[FHMullane]

If you don''t understand the first thing about horses in general and the race horse business in particular... best you keep your ignorant comments to yourself.

[codymac4]

I second FHMullane

[shanev137]

I second SistaTee.

Just think of the race names we could come up with for those slobs.

[Catsplace2000a]

If they would stop riding them while they are still babies and take into consideration that the bones and ligaments are not ready for such abuse, they would be able to race longer, and run without so many breakdowns, but when they start riding them before they are even fully grown, that just shows how greedy they are. The establishment should stop the racing of two and three year olds, and make it a law that they don''t race until they are four.

[codymac4]

Fully grown? That horse was 17 or 18 hands. What do we have a bunch of veterinarians on here? Same thing could have happened to a five year old.

[missybelle-2009]

I second SistaTee.

Just think of the race names we could come up with for those slobs.


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Posted by shanev137 at 11:11 AM : May 05, 2008

Ya''ll are silly and ridiculous.

[horselover08]

I totally agree with you catsplace. You are right about the first comment you made, that I read. As you can tell by my user name, I love horses too, and I cant stand their greed, at the expense of these horses lives.

[boredworn]

I am really tired of people who have never seen or touched a horse contributing uninformed opinions. horses are livestock plain and simple they are taller cows that we ride in races. once more even if we didn''t bread them to run they would anyways; it''s in their nature and running in a paddock or on a track with a jockey whipping it is much safer then out in the wild where nothing more then a ground hog hole can break its leg and cause it to slowly starve to death.
To think somebody would raise one of the wallet emptying creatures without any sense of income from it is foolish. and if you think track conditions are the cause; think how much these "majestic beasts" are worth. Do you honestly think a multi-million dollar investment isn''t well taken care of? I have seen where they live and believe me its much better conditions then a lot of people who are reading this article will ever have.

[horselover08]

Get A Heart!

[rf35]

Sure, ban horse racing. While we''re at it, let''s ban boxing, hockey, football, soccer, lacrosse, bowling, and darts! Oh, we''re just talking about animals? OK, ban hunting, fishing, and keeping pets. Let''s also ban any water travel (bad for sea life), air travel (bad for birds), and cars (bad for squirrels). Go back to horse and buggies. Oops, that won%u2019t work either! So what do we do PETA? Help!

[horselover08]

By The Way, I was raised with horse!!

[horselover08]

pardon me, with horses!!

[thinkharder-]

Ya''''ll are silly and ridiculous.

Posted by missybelle at 11:20 AM : May 05, 2008

you know what''s silly and rediculous? A bunch of local yocals all foaming at the mounth, clenching their prospective winning ticket smiling ear to ear, as these magnificent animals are whipped and prodded to carry some psuedo midget past a finish line. These animals have done nothing but provide for our species through history, and how do we repay them? BY forcing them to run there hearts out to the point where bones shatter and the animal is put down. The poor things...

[shaihalud-2009]

Let''s all go out, slop down some mint juleps, dress up in stupid clothing, and beat a horse until it dies. Then let''s all cry and wonder why it happens. People who really appreciate co-existing with animals and treating them with care and respect don''t make arguments to support racing horses, dogfighting, or pigeon shooting. It done for mere human amusement at the expense of animal welfare.

[codymac4]

Pardon me! sisters!

[shanev137]

tiddsanbeer...you''re obviously someone who gets off on torturing things with beating hearts and you now feel threatened.

I merely pointed out that 80% of our country is Christian and approves of torturing humans so why would anyone care if a few animals were whipped to death during a money race?

The answer is: they wouldn''t, so PETA is wasting their time.

[thinkharder-]

it''''s in their nature and running in a paddock or on a track with a jockey whipping it is much safer then out in the wild where nothing more then a ground hog hole can break its leg and cause it to slowly starve to death.
Posted by boredworn at 11:29 AM : May 05, 2008

That is a blatant and outright lie. I''ll tell you what. You release all racing horses back into the wild for a little R and R. Then, after a week or so, try to corrall them back up to bring them back to the paddock. Do you really think they''d prefer life under our control? As an American, you seem to show little value to freedom.

[missybelle-2009]

Codymac4, you are hilarious. Here''s an idea for all of you crying into your pillows each night over these horses: rescue them! Yes, why don''t you buy these horses from their owners and raise them yourselves! Mind you, you''ll need a lot of acreage (=$$), vet care (=$$), shelter (=$$), time (= time) and even more time (= time 2). Oh, what''s that? You aren''t able to do that but still want to dictate to the people who do? Well, that''s just ignorant!!!!

[wakeup60]

What a horrible tragedy!They should "NOT" race Fillies and Males in the same race/there is no Women''s Lib in racing...Fact/the majority of any species/the male is stronger than the female,has more stamina and is built differently(of course)for sports or ANY physical outlay/JUST FACT. I never miss the Derby-but this year I did/Thank God! But,the agony of this precious,priceless Filly having both front legs break is just heartbreaking and beyond heartrending!! The extreme use of the crop on these horses is very disturbing/some jockey''s are worse than others/to beat these magnificent animals when they are going full out-as fast & as hard as they can possibly go/beating them until the strain is so hard THAT they OVER-PERFORM and do irreparable damage just TRYING THEIR ULTIMATE TO PLEASE!CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD FEEL-IF YOU COMPOUNDEDLY BROKE BOTH OF YOUR LEGS AND CONTINUED TO RUN ON THEM! NO POSSIBLE WAY TO EXPLAIN THE PAIN THIS BEAUTY ENDURED BEFORE they put her down. To the owners,her trainer,friends,Derby Race Viewers and horse lovers everywhere/Sincerest of Sympathies/May your hearts find peace and comfort for this loss/Remembering Eight Belles in our minds and in our hearts. She was absolutely beautiful! Her 2nd Place Win-is STILL HER WIN/DON''T TAKE THAT AWAY AS WELL/SHE EARNED IT!!!!!

[horselover08]

wakeup60 thanks for your comment, I totally agree.

[olebd]

Camels are 5 times smarter than horses. Maybe it''s time to switch race animals.

[gunshack1]

My father in law was a horse trainer for over 50 years. He took better care of the horses then his kids at times. People who are not involved in the industry would have a hard time understanding it. These horses do not run on drugs. They are tested more than baseball players. By the way, Walkshe, these horses are three years old not two.

[codytaz]

I have racehorses and breakdowns is a terrible thing but as means as it sounds its part of it. The jockey did nothing wrong and I hope he doesn''t lose sleep over this. I would like to correct one point, they are not 2yrs old they are 3. All thoroughbred horses turn a year older on January 1. Also horses run because they want to not because they are forced. We had horses that didn''t like to run, so we sold them to people who now show them. This is not a bad sport and if people would watch more than one race a year they might realize this instead of jumping on a bandwagon that you know nothing about.

[boredworn]

"?That is a blatant and outright lie. I''''ll tell you what. You release all racing horses back into the wild for a little R and R. Then, after a week or so, try to corrall them back up to bring them back to the paddock. Do you really think they''''d prefer life under our control? As an American, you seem to show little value to freedom." - ThinkHarder

a week sure how about a year or 2. round them up then and see how many have starved to death in winter or have been eaten by wolves don''t even pretend like these things can survive like they do on a farm that is extreme denial. i have seen plenty of injuries due to "R and R"; the difference, there isn''t thousands of witness saying it should have been slowly lead around so it wouldn''t have injured its self. *** happens.

[codymac4]

It''s good to be the "Kings":)

[wakeup60]

I do agree with Shaihalud ... All of these activities of amusement for the human race that give enjoyment- to see these beloved animals endure pain, injury and
death/for money $$$$$$$$ of course... has always been so haunting & disturbing. I feel for the boxers gettings their brains knocked out of them/ but not as much as an ANIMAL WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE CHOICE OF WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR...FOR THE AMUSEMENT and MONEY MAKING OF HUMANS!!!!! Atleast the human can choose!

[neenga]

"Camels are 5 times smarter than horses. Maybe it''''s time to switch race animals."

Visit the U.A.E. and see all the camel races you want.