Comments on: Sudden loss http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/ From the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:02:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: mothers who kill their babies http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-358 mothers who kill their babies Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:11:08 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-358 <strong>mothers who kill their babies...</strong> How do you come up with so much material to blog with?... mothers who kill their babies…

How do you come up with so much material to blog with?…

]]> By: Teri Davis Newman http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-352 Teri Davis Newman Sun, 08 Jun 2008 03:46:25 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-352 Who cries for Eight Belles? The beautiful grey great-granddaughter of the great Northern Dancer, winner of the Derby and sire of Derby winner Dancer's Image and granddaughter of the 1990 Derby winner Unbridled, Granddaughter of Caro who sired Winning Colors (the last filly to win the Derby) and niece of the 1996 Derby winner Grindstone had the pedigree to win the Run for the Roses. She also had the heart of a lion and delicate crystal ankles, as all thoroughbreds do. The filly showed the world that she was the second-best 3 year old in the world on the first Saturday in May and certainly the best filly. Her nose was in Big Brown's tail the entire way and she was running away from the field as he ran away from her. She was the best 3 year old filly in racing and if Big Brown had not been in the race, she would have joined Regret, Genuine Risk and her cousin Winning Colors as only the fourth filly to win the Run for the Roses. She ran her heart out to win because she was born and bred to run with the wind--it's what Thoroughbreds do--what they've always done. I cried for Eight Belles when I saw her poor broken body on laying on the track. She ran the race of her life and in a freak accident she broke her ankles after she ran her heart out. She belonged with the big boys and showed she could run with the big dogs and she beat 18 of them but the biggest one--the best 3 year old in the world beat her fair and square. In the old days they would bring a gun out and shoot them right on the track and haul them away. They do it differently now, but Eight Belles is still gone--but the memory of how she gave it her all will remain in Derby legend and lore forever. I cried for her because I know what it's like to lose a great horse to an injury. I know what it's like to lose a dog you loved or a Siamese that slept under my chin every night for 19 years. I cried for Eight Belles but I know I wasn't the only one--the people who loved her and cared for her cried with me--and longer and harder than I. PETA has no clue about most things--they are a publicity hungry terrorist organization and for them to use the death of the beautiful filly who had more heart than she had legs is reprehensible. Their crass attempt to beat the beautiful dead filly shows that they don't have the class she showed in running for the roses and giving her life for them. Who cries for Eight Belles? The beautiful grey great-granddaughter of the great Northern Dancer, winner of the Derby and sire of Derby winner Dancer’s Image and granddaughter of the 1990 Derby winner Unbridled, Granddaughter of Caro who sired Winning Colors (the last filly to win the Derby) and niece of the 1996 Derby winner Grindstone had the pedigree to win the Run for the Roses. She also had the heart of a lion and delicate crystal ankles, as all thoroughbreds do. The filly showed the world that she was the second-best 3 year old in the world on the first Saturday in May and certainly the best filly. Her nose was in Big Brown’s tail the entire way and she was running away from the field as he ran away from her. She was the best 3 year old filly in racing and if Big Brown had not been in the race, she would have joined Regret, Genuine Risk and her cousin Winning Colors as only the fourth filly to win the Run for the Roses. She ran her heart out to win because she was born and bred to run with the wind–it’s what Thoroughbreds do–what they’ve always done. I cried for Eight Belles when I saw her poor broken body on laying on the track. She ran the race of her life and in a freak accident she broke her ankles after she ran her heart out. She belonged with the big boys and showed she could run with the big dogs and she beat 18 of them but the biggest one–the best 3 year old in the world beat her fair and square. In the old days they would bring a gun out and shoot them right on the track and haul them away. They do it differently now, but Eight Belles is still gone–but the memory of how she gave it her all will remain in Derby legend and lore forever. I cried for her because I know what it’s like to lose a great horse to an injury. I know what it’s like to lose a dog you loved or a Siamese that slept under my chin every night for 19 years. I cried for Eight Belles but I know I wasn’t the only one–the people who loved her and cared for her cried with me–and longer and harder than I. PETA has no clue about most things–they are a publicity hungry terrorist organization and for them to use the death of the beautiful filly who had more heart than she had legs is reprehensible. Their crass attempt to beat the beautiful dead filly shows that they don’t have the class she showed in running for the roses and giving her life for them.

]]> By: Liz Cromley http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-323 Liz Cromley Wed, 21 May 2008 04:05:43 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-323 First i agree with the most part of what everyone is saying, and we are all upset in one way or another. I belong to the jockey club, my grandparents raced for over 50 years. Do I agree with racing NO!! I wrote an article after eight belles was injured, and any idiot could figure out what happened and why. Pulling back on her face, she is on the shoulder of the track in the deeper dirt. she is changing into her right lead, both feet come up, your pulling on her face and she can either go over backwards or come down in the deep dirt without 2 feet to stand on and that is why her ankles were broke. I have 3 Thoroughbreds at home with me, 2 have raced 1 is a 2 yr old and if you could see how wide open their knees and 1/2 ton animal with sticks for bones in their legs, their would never be a 2 yr old in training. Between the jockey club and the american racing association their are going to be huge changes, and for me I am glad. I would like 3 year old in training, derby at 4years, NO WHIPS ever, if your horse cant run from the 1/4 poll without a whip don't race him/ her. All tracks need to conform to the same as everyone else, no confentional dirt. Xrays to be taken before races and in there 3 year old year no more than 7 races per year. There is a group of 7 people at the jockey club, 7 at the racing ass. and 7 within vets that have all gotten together to see what is best. I asked the vets once why do you race horses with bowed tendons? Their answer is, if we did'nt we could not fill the races. Makes ya feel warm and cozy all over huh. Big Brown has 550.00 in shoes why? because he has Quarter cracks and they get very painful, and after the belmont you will not see this horse run 1st because they can make more money breeding and 2nd his feet wont hold up. Horses have a heart a mind, 4 limbs everything we have. If there were as many jockeys dying as horse their would not be any racing, so flip the coin until all horses that are being killed at all these tracks not just the derby, preakness or belmont, And for all that dont know there are alot more being killed after they are taken away, that they never tell you about. I am hoping for big changes and pissed off trainers and better care for the horses. I never read back to see if there is sombody who wants to argue the point so dont waste your time. to all who want change Just pray that peta and animal rights dont get in the way of change. Liz First i agree with the most part of what everyone is saying, and we are all upset in one way or another. I belong to the jockey club, my grandparents raced for over 50 years. Do I agree with racing NO!! I wrote an article after eight belles was injured, and any idiot could figure out what happened and why. Pulling back on her face, she is on the shoulder of the track in the deeper dirt. she is changing into her right lead, both feet come up, your pulling on her face and she can either go over backwards or come down in the deep dirt without 2 feet to stand on and that is why her ankles were broke. I have 3 Thoroughbreds at home with me, 2 have raced 1 is a 2 yr old and if you could see how wide open their knees and 1/2 ton animal with sticks for bones in their legs, their would never be a 2 yr old in training. Between the jockey club and the american racing association their are going to be huge changes, and for me I am glad. I would like 3 year old in training, derby at 4years, NO WHIPS ever, if your horse cant run from the 1/4 poll without a whip don’t race him/ her. All tracks need to conform to the same as everyone else, no confentional dirt. Xrays to be taken before races and in there 3 year old year no more than 7 races per year. There is a group of 7 people at the jockey club, 7 at the racing ass. and 7 within vets that have all gotten together to see what is best. I asked the vets once why do you race horses with bowed tendons? Their answer is, if we did’nt we could not fill the races. Makes ya feel warm and cozy all over huh. Big Brown has 550.00 in shoes why? because he has Quarter cracks and they get very painful, and after the belmont you will not see this horse run 1st because they can make more money breeding and 2nd his feet wont hold up.
Horses have a heart a mind, 4 limbs everything we have. If there were as many jockeys dying as horse their would not be any racing, so flip the coin until all horses that are being killed at all these tracks not just the derby, preakness or belmont, And for all that dont know there are alot more being killed after they are taken away, that they never tell you about. I am hoping for big changes and pissed off trainers and better care for the horses. I never read back to see if there is sombody who wants to argue the point so dont waste your time. to all who want change Just pray that peta and animal rights dont get in the way of change.
Liz

]]> By: McKenzie Armour http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-304 McKenzie Armour Wed, 14 May 2008 00:17:37 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-304 "Vivian" and every other person on here who knows nothing about horses. THINK before you post things like that. The freak accident of this filly had nothing do do with ANYONE. There is no one to blame for this tragedy. You people make it sound like the owner, trainer, and jocky pressed a button to force Eight Belles' ankles to break. It was as big of a tragedy to THEM as it is to us. So give everyone a break and THINK before you SPEAK/TYPE! Also, If you have ever known or been in a situation where a horse in injured, you would clearly KNOW that it is close to impossible to cure a broken leg of a 1200lb animal that stands for over 70% of its lifetime. It would have been torture for them to have tried to save this filly. So before you get all huffy puffy about the decision making and loss of the owner and trainer, do a little research. It is nothing but frustrating to see people blurt out their opinions when they have no idea. Everyone is devistated about the horrible loss of Eight Belles, but she raced with her heart. She raced with her life. It what she was raised to do, it's what her heart wanted to do. She knew of nothing else. She did not suffer for long, and she is in a better place. Her owner, trainer, and jockey are all in the same amount of devistation (if not more) about this as all of us are. You have got to put yourself in their shoes; or else you just wouldnt understand. “Vivian” and every other person on here who knows nothing about horses. THINK before you post things like that. The freak accident of this filly had nothing do do with ANYONE. There is no one to blame for this tragedy. You people make it sound like the owner, trainer, and jocky pressed a button to force Eight Belles’ ankles to break. It was as big of a tragedy to THEM as it is to us. So give everyone a break and THINK before you SPEAK/TYPE!

Also, If you have ever known or been in a situation where a horse in injured, you would clearly KNOW that it is close to impossible to cure a broken leg of a 1200lb animal that stands for over 70% of its lifetime. It would have been torture for them to have tried to save this filly. So before you get all huffy puffy about the decision making and loss of the owner and trainer, do a little research.

It is nothing but frustrating to see people blurt out their opinions when they have no idea.

Everyone is devistated about the horrible loss of Eight Belles, but she raced with her heart. She raced with her life. It what she was raised to do, it’s what her heart wanted to do. She knew of nothing else. She did not suffer for long, and she is in a better place. Her owner, trainer, and jockey are all in the same amount of devistation (if not more) about this as all of us are. You have got to put yourself in their shoes; or else you just wouldnt understand.

]]> By: amber http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-270 amber Sat, 10 May 2008 01:56:52 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-270 My Mother and I are saddened by about Eight Belles. It made me wish I had never watched the Derby. I am still sad. I dont know how bad her injuries was. Yet, I always think the owners make a decision to fast and not give the horse a chance to maybe recover. Horse give back so much to us. I dont think we give them enough credit and love. One of you wondered if grass would be better. I dont know, but the US may should chance their tracks. We do not need to lose any more horses this way. We are being cruel to them. Also someone said maybe race them when they are older, so they'll be stronger. That sounds like a great idea. An maybe have a smaller limit of horses for races. Though Eight Belles dont get bump, others did. I am glad that there was not another horse injury that day. (That we know of.) I only knew Eight Belles for about 2 minutes and I grew to love her. I pray she will be running pride and strong in heaven. Where no bones will ever break again. My Mother and I are saddened by about Eight Belles. It made me wish I had never watched the Derby. I am still sad. I dont know how bad her injuries was. Yet, I always think the owners make a decision to fast and not give the horse a chance to maybe recover. Horse give back so much to us. I dont think we give them enough credit and love.

One of you wondered if grass would be better. I dont know, but the US may should chance their tracks. We do not need to lose any more horses this way. We are being cruel to them. Also someone said maybe race them when they are older, so they’ll be stronger. That sounds like a great idea. An maybe have a smaller limit of horses for races. Though Eight Belles dont get bump, others did. I am glad that there was not another horse injury that day. (That we know of.)
I only knew Eight Belles for about 2 minutes and I grew to love her. I pray she will be running pride and strong in heaven. Where no bones will ever break again.

]]> By: Shellyt http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-262 Shellyt Fri, 09 May 2008 17:01:59 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-262 The loss of Eight Belles should indicate to everyone that something is really really wrong. I place the blame on the Owner and the Trainer. Come on everyone this is all about the big buck. We as the general public have no idea how hard this horse had been run prior to the Derby, any medical problems it had or any vulnerabilities she might of had. Personal sources tell me that this horse was run very hard prior to the Derby. Where are the regulations to protect these animals from being run to death because a greedy owner. When they show up at the starting gate, we have no idea what so ever what has been done prior to that race. I do not blame the jockey, his life is on the line and he is hired to do his job, race that horse. I support PETA's efforts but I think they are getting a bit carried away with this one. Stop attacking the jockey. Take a look at the TRAINER and the OWNER. This filly was a "baby"..why do we run babies for our entertainment. I hope this causes horseracing to take a hard look at what is potentially going on with these young horses. I would be glad to see horse racing, rodeos and such just disappear. I think Eight Belles did not drop out of some freak accident, I think she was worked to death prior to the Derby and her owner and Trainer should be investigated. PETA - you are going after the wrong person, you need to push for regulations regarding complete histories of all horses and the treatment of animals that are bread to race. These farms turn out horse after horse looking for that perfect runner. It's no better than a puppy mill if you ask me. A once beautiful sport for me now takes on a very fowl taste in my mouth. It's a barbaric sport and one I will never watch or participate in again. Where do were draw the line between "training" and abusing? The loss of Eight Belles should indicate to everyone that something is really really wrong. I place the blame on the Owner and the Trainer. Come on everyone this is all about the big buck. We as the general public have no idea how hard this horse had been run prior to the Derby, any medical problems it had or any vulnerabilities she might of had. Personal sources tell me that this horse was run very hard prior to the Derby. Where are the regulations to protect these animals from being run to death because a greedy owner. When they show up at the starting gate, we have no idea what so ever what has been done prior to that race. I do not blame the jockey, his life is on the line and he is hired to do his job, race that horse. I support PETA’s efforts but I think they are getting a bit carried away with this one. Stop attacking the jockey. Take a look at the TRAINER and the OWNER. This filly was a “baby”..why do we run babies for our entertainment. I hope this causes horseracing to take a hard look at what is potentially going on with these young horses. I would be glad to see horse racing, rodeos and such just disappear. I think Eight Belles did not drop out of some freak accident, I think she was worked to death prior to the Derby and her owner and Trainer should be investigated. PETA - you are going after the wrong person, you need to push for regulations regarding complete histories of all horses and the treatment of animals that are bread to race. These farms turn out horse after horse looking for that perfect runner. It’s no better than a puppy mill if you ask me. A once beautiful sport for me now takes on a very fowl taste in my mouth. It’s a barbaric sport and one I will never watch or participate in again. Where do were draw the line between “training” and abusing?

]]> By: Princess Blue http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-253 Princess Blue Thu, 08 May 2008 22:44:55 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-253 Eight Belles was destined for glory, otherwise she would have finished in 1st place. It's too plain to see. Eight Belles put forth the strongest effort all the way to the finish line, fighting every step of the way. I stand proud today to have been in that number who picked Eight Belles to win. Eight Belles is my winner and I will uphold her name in the highest respect for what she did that day. My utmost condolence goes out to Richard Porter; Fox Hill Farms, Robert N. Clay; Three Chimneys Farm, Larry Jones and Gabriel Saez. Hats off to each and every one of you. Eight Belles was destined for glory, otherwise she would have finished in 1st place. It’s too plain to see. Eight Belles put forth the strongest effort all the way to the finish line, fighting every step of the way. I stand proud today to have been in that number who picked
Eight Belles to win. Eight Belles is my winner and I will uphold her name in the highest respect for what she did that day. My utmost condolence goes out to Richard Porter; Fox Hill Farms, Robert N. Clay; Three Chimneys Farm, Larry Jones and Gabriel Saez. Hats off to each and every one of you.

]]> By: Vivian http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-244 Vivian Thu, 08 May 2008 02:45:22 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-244 Eight Belles died because of the decisions made by her owner and trainer. Unfortunately, those decisions were not based on the welfare of Eight Belles but, instead, greed. Eight Belles died because of the decisions made by her owner and trainer. Unfortunately, those decisions were not based on the welfare of Eight Belles but, instead, greed.

]]> By: Teran http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-240 Teran Wed, 07 May 2008 15:40:31 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-240 Many people on here dont know anything about horse racing Many people on here dont know anything about horse racing

]]> By: Emily http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-237 Emily Wed, 07 May 2008 01:56:57 +0000 http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/derby/2008/2008/05/03/sudden-loss/#comment-237 I am a horse owner. I love horses. I am embarrassed to say that I won money having my husband place a bet on the exacta on the race that took Eight Belles' life. I am confident it will be the last race upon which I will ever place money. Frankly, as beautiful as Keeneland is, I can't imagine enjoying a thoroughbred horse race again. Thoroughbred yearlings and race horses may be pampered; however, this pampering should not be mistaken as an act of love. The industry overbreeds these animals and then treats them as fungible goods if they do not win on the race track. Then we get to see someone like Bo Derek exclaiming how the industry decries horse slaughter. The hypocrisy has to stop. I am a horse owner. I love horses. I am embarrassed to say that I won money having my husband place a bet on the exacta on the race that took Eight Belles’ life. I am confident it will be the last race upon which I will ever place money. Frankly, as beautiful as Keeneland is, I can’t imagine enjoying a thoroughbred horse race again. Thoroughbred yearlings and race horses may be pampered; however, this pampering should not be mistaken as an act of love. The industry overbreeds these animals and then treats them as fungible goods if they do not win on the race track. Then we get to see someone like Bo Derek exclaiming how the industry decries horse slaughter. The hypocrisy has to stop.

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