Eight Belles

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Safety Remains in the Spotlight
 Safety Remains 
 in the Spotlight 
kentucky derby
Apr 30, 2009 3:40 PM CDT

Safety Remains in the Spotlight

(Newser) - A year after second-place finisher Eight Belles had to be euthanized following the Kentucky Derby, safety has improved—but the inherent dangers of horse racing remain immutable, MSNBC reports. The industry has altered the rules regarding steroids, whips, and horseshoes, "but the bottom line is, not a lot of...

Best Sports Stories of 2008
 Best Sports Stories of 2008 
OPINION
Dec 26, 2008 3:02 PM CST

Best Sports Stories of 2008

Evil Bill, golden Michael, ailing Tiger, and hapless Lions held our fascination

(Newser) - Every fan has favorite storylines from the year in sports, but a few were universally intriguing, Reid Cherner and Tom Weir write in USA Today:
  1. Michael Phelps' eight golds in the 08/08/08 Olympics gave America a reason to root.
  2. Our favorite hoodied villain, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, finally got his
...

Eight Belles Jockey Defends His Ride

He says the filly gave no sign she was injured during race

(Newser) - The jockey who rode Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby says the filly seemed to be in fine form during the race and denies pushing her against her will, USA Today reports. "I'm not going to encourage her to run if I know something is wrong because I can...

Owner Haunted by Derby Filly's 'Horrible' Death

Wishes 'talented, mild-mannered' horse was back in the barn

(Newser) - Eight Belles' owner is still shocked and saddened by the death of his filly, put down at the end of the Kentucky Derby—but believes she belonged in the race, reports the Palm Beach Post. Rick Porter switched from celebrating his horse's thrilling second-place finish to mourning her death within...

Eight Belles' Trainer Defends Jockey's Conduct

(Newser) - The trainer of euthanized filly Eight Belles adamantly defended the way jockey Gabriel Saez handled the Kentucky Derby runner-up. In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Larry Jones said Saez applied the whip only to prevent Eight Belles from crashing into the rail.

PETA Cries Foul Over Filly's Death
PETA Cries
Foul Over
Filly's Death
May 5, 2008 10:44 AM CDT

PETA Cries Foul Over Filly's Death

Activists want changes in horse racing, jockey suspended

(Newser) - PETA is calling for broad reforms in horse racing after the second-place finisher in Saturday's Kentucky Derby broke her two front legs and was immediately euthanized, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader. PETA is calling for horses to begin training at their third birthdays, rather than their second, and also for synthetic...

'Moral Crisis' Plagues Horse Racing
 'Moral Crisis'
 Plagues
 Horse Racing 
analysis
May 4, 2008 9:45 AM CDT

'Moral Crisis' Plagues Horse Racing

Eight Belles, Barbaro indicative of huge hearts, too-fragile bodies

(Newser) - NBC cut away from Eight Belles’ devastating breakdown and euthanasia at Churchill Downs yesterday, but we need to take a good hard look at the very real cost of the sport of kings, writes Sally Jenkins in the Washington Post. Eight Belles is a primetime example of the average two...

Filly Euthanized at Derby
 Filly Euthanized at Derby 
May 3, 2008 9:54 PM CDT

Filly Euthanized at Derby

(Newser) - Eight Belles, the filly who crossed the wire 4 3/4 lengths behind winner Big Brown to take second in the Kentucky Derby today, collapsed with two broken front ankles and was euthanized on the track. The first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby appeared to be fine as...

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