People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling for jockey Gabriel Saez, who rode Eight Belles to second place at the Kentucky Derby only to see her break her front legs and be euthanized on the track, to be suspended from horse racing. From PETA's blog:This young filly's death may have been humane, but the race sure wasn't. PETA is calling for the immediate suspension of jockey Gabriel Saez-who whipped Eight Belles mercilessly as she came down the final stretch, no doubt in agony from two front legs that were about to snap.But the veterinarian on the scene, Dr. Larry Bramlage, told the Lexington Herald-Leader that he takes issue with PETA's approach, and that there's no evidence that Eight Belles was in agony as she ran down the final stretch.
According to Bramiage, the injury rate for racehorses is 1.6 per 1,000. He adds, "We don't want to accept even that, but horses love to race and are the most pampered of all athletes. I would not put horse racing in the cruel category."
