Trainer for Eight Belles doesn't blame sport for filly's death

Hey--get your facts straight. Barbaro shattered his hind leg, NOT his front leg.

The horse racing industry has to do something! Horses should not be dying for our entertainment. Perhaps more consideration needs to be given to the artificial track. Also, maybe fillies should not race against colts.

Everyone is talking about the track while ignoring the fact that the real culprit is nailed to the bottom of the hoof. The hoof is a natural shock absorber, the horseshoe inhibits its ability to perform its natural function.

Keep injecting the joints buddy. There is a place for people like you.

I own race horses and have them on both types of tracks each have there inherent problems that need to be addressed. Keeping in mind that every athelete has to deal with injuries no matter what the surface. We just can't fix all the types of injuries to horses yet. I have lost some of mine to other types of complications they just don't get the front page of the paper but it hurts none the less. Awareness and caution are your best tools until we learn more about why these types of injuries occur. I'd be more concerned if we didn't care to ask the questions to begin with.

how about the jock...

Do you think the trainer and owner placed this filly too prematurely to run in the Derby? On an ESPN article there, the owner and trainer discusses about where to place Eight Belles, they were torn to either ran her in the Kentucky Oaks with other fillies but drawing from post 12 or in the Kentucky Derby running with boys from post 5. The owner could not decide, registered her on both. Can you imagine my surprise when I read her racing history? She has never ran with boys from that distance and that purse? She was an uprising star but this race was much bigger than what she was prepared to give. It seems these 2 men failed to see the big picture. There was too much personal gained involved if she were still here. It would have meant a title, history and monies. Was Eight Belles up to par or the owner/trainer were pushing her to be up to par? Sometimes, it takes a tragedy like this to wake up the senselessness of wishful thinking. Her races tells a story of her abilities and this time she gave her all as she always did but the last time to be pushed. When I saw her on the track before the race, I got worried. I did not want to factor her out and I never saw her as the winner. She was a 2nd or 3rd finisher. So when I saw the race and the stretch, my jaw dropped at her lugging when the jockey spanked her. She usually runs straight never lugging like she did here. Then, she collapsed and broke her ankles.... It is fair to believe she fainted.... There was nothing else left for her to gain strength to even cool down. It is a lesson for everyone to see a bigger picture than only what you want to see...The Law or Relativity!!

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triple... Here is the article. Read it and see what you want to see

This was a tragic incident. Trust me politics had nothing to do with this. It is sad very sad.

I agree. Synthetic tracks are not the way to go. Yup, it's an unfortunate thing to happen. But Belles wanted to finish the race... and win. That filly was powerful enough to beat 18 boys, and some of them are exceptional in their own rite. Folks need to understand that the spotlight is one the ones who truly put their heart in winning. They run for all that they are worth and more. No one is at fault for Saturday's tragedy. Eight Belles is now with Ruffian, the greatest filly of all time who ran her heart too. Don't bash racing. Do your research.

If humans competed as hard as the horses do other sports would be more fun to watch.

I am unfamiliar with the racing practices but can only add... that big, fancy, filly ran her heart out. Can we actually predict fractures, no we cannot. Those beasts are bred to run, much like hunting dogs are bred to move, sniff and retrieve. Crystal balls aside, have we overbred the t-breds?

I think that she was push way to much and put in this race too young. It really isn't anyone's fault but they still put her in this race to young and she didn't deserve to die sooo young.(but there was no way they could help her in any way.) But I have to say she did finish in a good spot and if I were her owners I would be very very proud of her.
R.I.P. Eight Belles
You were a great racer.

Are all of you out of your minds?! Discussion about track surfaces and horseshoes and whether or not fillies should run with colts?? Do my research?!
Horses are smart and VERY loyal creatures that will do anything that their 'trusted' humans ask of them. Including run themselves to death. Sickening.
Absolutely NO better than dog fighting.

listen its a tough sport on these horses, no one doubts that, but in any competition there are risks to the athletes. Race car drivers die, marathon runners die, olympians, football players, baseball...etc etc. This was horible, I cried myself but it is a terrbile part of competition, there are casualties, Belles was 1.

and horse racing is nothing like dog fighting, horses run against each other, not try to kill each other.

The worst part is i had her in my trifecta, but misses the show horse...so no one won.

Dear Patty Johnson of Philadelphia, PA;
Yes, it's tragic these animals and athletes have been lost.
However, I don't think the American horse races have anything of a problem compared to the steeple chases such as the Grand National; where this year McKelvey was the 174th horse to die in a race in a year.

174 (in race): 1 (post race)

I do not understand this sport well enough to know why it be necessary to have to euthanize after a horse fractures bones? Because of infection setting from lack of mobility? If this is the case and these injuries are seeming to be more common and extremely heartbreaking and horrifying to watch.(after this and Barbados, I am no longer a fan of this sport and actually find it cruel and inhumane). If you are going to create problems for these amazing animals that are innocent victims of greed, pleasure, glory and sport, then find a solution!
Why can't a device be created such as one that helps dogs walk when they become lame if mobility is an issue? Those walker like contraptions. Make them with some form of high grade steel to support the weight. I'm not sure what the solution is, but without one, this is another form of animal cruelty if they must die for a stupid sport that is over in a matter of minutes.
And everyone associated with Eight Belles, her owner, her trainer, her vet, her rider - all responsible for acting irresponsible.

What happened in the Derby was a horrible terrible thing. I would just like to tell the owners, the trainer, and the jockey, I am sorry for there lose.I watched the race, and yes she ran her heart out,and we will never know for sure what happened. I just pray she deid peacefully and without pain. She was a beautiful filly.

Horses bones are not fully sound and mature until the age of 5 years. Seems to me that no horse should be raced until 5 or 6 years of age.

Horses' physiology makes it difficult for them to survive catastrophic leg injuries. Believe me, veterinary science is working on trying to save more horses from these types of injuries.

But I am sick and tired of animal rights idiots polluting every board with their lies about racing.