billdawg12185

I don't know about anyone else, but I think PETA should find something else to complain about. Wanting to suspend Gabriel Saez, the jockey aboard Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby is ridiculous.

The passing of Eight Belles was extremely tragic and as a horse racing fan you never want to see something like that happen. But for PETA to say Saez knowingly pushed the filly to her death is unfounded. Vets at the derby say there is no way Eight Belles could have suffered her injury before the race ended.

Running on two broken ankles? Not likely. The injury occurred when the horses slow themselves down after the race and the jockey stands up (sorry I don't know if there is a more correct term) to relieve the weight off the horse.

The fact people are saying a filly shouldn't have run in the derby is just as crazy as PETA. Rags to Riches beat the big boys last year, and Eight Belles could have done that this year.

Trainers, owners and jockeys all love the horses. I've seen that love first hand at the Saratoga Race Course and at friend's horse farms. I know fatalities happen, and the most current stat I've heard since Saturday's tragedy is 1.6 deaths per 1,000 races. Factor in there are probably an average of 8 horses per race (I'm guessing on this one) so that's almost two deaths per 8,000 horses.

I've seen a horse put down at Saratoga and a hush came over the crowd. It's scary. But imagine the jockeys who put their lives on the line to ride these great athletes. I've seen three jockeys fall off during one race. When a horse starts to fall, the motion brings the jockey forward. So again, PETA saying Saez didn't have any regard for Eight Belles is crazy.

I have to say the only thing PETA could say is cruel is the whip. It's been used in horse racing forever, and if they want to try to change anything that should be their focus not trying to suspend Saez. Even the trainer said Saez did everything right.

And lastly, I've heard people saying they should spread the Triple Crown Races out. Normally horses have a two month rest between races, or more but to win the Triple Crown a horse must endure three races in just over a month. If that were to change it would take all the integrity, history and drama of the Triple Crown.