I was so proud of the presence of the Peta organization at the horse race. It's shameful to see these magnificent horses used in this capacity all for greed.Shame on them.

Posted by: Dyane M. LaGrega | June 8, 2008 08:47 AM

It's nice to see all the protesters out there. If I lived close, I would have joined them. And it's also nice to see PETA giving some credit to the jockey for pulling Big Brown back sensing that something was wrong instead of whipping him senseless to try to gain position. Good work, PETA!!

Posted by: Angie | June 8, 2008 09:29 AM

where were the signs the horse was lame? tired, yes. but if the quarter crack was a problem you would have been able to see it in Big Browns stride. But sometimes those injuries are superficial, and do not penetrate the inner wall of the hoof.

Posted by: Sarah Clair | June 8, 2008 09:39 AM

I just have to ask why you chose now to protest the horse racing industry. Were the other deaths of horses not important until Eight Belles broke down? Also, protesting big name races such as the Preakness and Belmont are somewhat useless because the horses in these races are treated better than the humans who take care of them. The owners, trainers and jockeys know better than to injure them...these are multi-million dollar horses! Eight Belles accident was nothing other than just that- an accident. No fool would hurt such a valuable horse. Instead, you should focus on the treatment of horses at B level tracks, where the treatment is often cruel. This is where low-level horses are pumped with drugs and sent to slaughter houses. Not at the Belmont.

Posted by: S.Q. | June 8, 2008 10:54 AM

These pictures look AMAZING!!!

Posted by: John Carmody | June 8, 2008 11:23 AM

Racing stables have more drugs in them than a drug factory

and it's not just the horses that take them!

(or rather, get them forced on them. The people choose to take them!)

Posted by: kelly | June 8, 2008 12:56 PM

Did you see "Michael Iavarone, one of Big Brown's principal owners who presented himself as a Wall Street banker seeking to raise $100 million for investing in racehorses, was recently revealed as a penny-stocks hustler who ran afoul of securities regulators for making illegal trades."

This is the world of horseracing as it is now.

The thieves, the liars, the lowlifes, the criminals, the extortionists, the hustlers.

All using horses like tools for some sort of social acceptance.

And tax dodges and money laundering. And investor ripoffs.

Posted by: kelly | June 8, 2008 01:09 PM

Congress and Senate, take away the horseracing tax dodges and loopholes for these crooks!

Posted by: kelly | June 8, 2008 01:10 PM

Well done I think that PETA is great I am a member and I have been writing letters and signing list to be against some of the things that are going on it is great that PETA might make this stop
well done everyone who went.When I am older I want to do that aswell =]

Posted by: Claire | June 8, 2008 02:43 PM

This is exactly why my wife and I donate to PETA. We are so proud of everyone who stands up for animal rights by speaking out publicly. We had the privilege to attend a protest against Ringling Brothers last year in Albany, NY. My wife said it was one of the proudest moments in her life. Conratulations and thank you to all who stood up for horses.

Posted by: Ken | June 8, 2008 03:01 PM

I am a horse racing fan. However, this is the first time in recent memory that I didn't watch the Belmont. I choose not to watch the coverage once I first heard about the crack in Big Brown's hoof. Had not it been for the pressure of the triple crown (and UPS?) the right thing to do would to have given this horse time for it to heal naturally. But no-the horse is asked to race the longest distance in his life. Saturday could have been another preventable tragedy had not Kent pulled up the champion. For shame to Rick Dutrow and the Big Brown consortium. Tighter regulations in the industry should require that any horse with hoof issues should not be allowed to run.

Posted by: MBD | June 8, 2008 04:06 PM

Get over it Mr.Dutrow, trainer of B. Brown. He can't win every time! I do not believe in angels, but perhaps an equine angel raced in the presence at Belmont and safely pulled those reins back on B. Brown!! He shall LIVE like the others because Eight Belles sacrificed herself. SHAME ON YOU Mr.Larry Jacobs, trainer of Eight Belles for LYING OPENLY to the world by stating that she was receiving no drugs, etc. Her jockey, Gabriel Saez cried on camera at the Preakness saying she broke his heart. He cared. And so do we. Thank u PETA. Please keep pursuing this.

Posted by: Susan Valente | June 8, 2008 05:47 PM

kentucky has a bad name. KFC and horse racing. what's next?

Posted by: Sarah | June 8, 2008 06:28 PM

I don't know what to think about any sport any more. I truly wanted Big Brown to win. But, when I saw him on Saturday, I felt he looked worn and tired. I don't think any of us have a clue as to what these horses endure when training for a race. When I see so much money and endorsements on the champions, it makes me wonder what our society has really come to. I grew up for the LOVE of animals and no matter how they performed, they were loved. In my opinion, these races should be banned. I don't think I could ever watch another horse race. I know how I react to terribly high temperatures. I would not have wanted to run that race either. "Big Brown", you are still a winner in my book and I am hoping that your owners do what is best for you and hope you never have to prove your worth by running another race.

Posted by: Glenda Julian | June 8, 2008 06:29 PM

Since the horse has been off steroids since April 15, we can now see what Big Brown was like racing naturally!!!!

Posted by: mswix | June 8, 2008 07:55 PM

Big Browns Jockey may have saved that Horses life. He should be hailed a hero. Horse racing is no diffrent than Dog fighting it is cruel and inhumane and all that take part in this hellish sport whether participating in the race or sitting there in the stands with their ghoulish grins and F'ed up hats are souless animal abusers.

Posted by: Tricia | June 8, 2008 07:56 PM

Awesome!!! I love nothing better than an amazing demonstration turnout!

Good job!

Posted by: HannaBanana | June 8, 2008 08:11 PM

Dear PETA, Thank you for protecting the horses. Can you please help BIG BROWN not to race again? He is Hurt. His owners and that trainer do not care about him. Only about his capacity to earn them more money. He is hurt, and shouldn't be racing. Today his owners said that they don't need to xray this horse. HE NEEDS XRAYS to prove to the people who really do care about him that he is ok. Thank you so much for all your good work in protecting those who can't protect themselves. God bless you all.
Sincerely,Geeta~

Posted by: Geeta | June 8, 2008 09:07 PM

Great demonstration! Thanks to Peta's spotlight on horseracing, Big Brown was able to walk away from the Belmont.

Posted by: lynda downie | June 9, 2008 01:45 AM

Beautiful Protest line, Beautiful People,
Great Job,

Go Vegan!

Posted by: Holly | June 9, 2008 05:19 AM

We need also to send emails/letters to Governor Patterson to let him know our displeasure at handing out the cup to the winner. He needs to hear that PETA is displeased with him and his stand at horseracing.

Posted by: Elaine Miller | June 9, 2008 06:17 AM

When Congress finally begins to investigate the fiasco we call horse racing, I have a suggestion. Since Rick Dutrow, Big Brown's thug trainer, has been found guilty of illegally doping his horses every year for the past eight years, why don't we have a rule that fixes that. If a trainer is caught illegally doping his horses, he is automatically banned from racing horses in ANY of the big races: Derby, Preakness, Belmont, Breeder's Cup, etc.

Posted by: Valerie | June 9, 2008 09:11 AM

.... i just.. don't know what to say to you guys anymore... I'm just soo... so fed up with you! MBD you didn't even get eight belle's trainers name right! that's sad. tell me, do you really think you know racing! DO YOU! no you don't. Have you ever worked with the horses, trained them and grabbed them after they ran?? no I don't think so. This happens to ALL living creatures, we have heat strokes, we run, we LIKE to run. Big brown loves to run. he jut does. its what he does, and then he will go to three chimneys farm and live very happily. So why are you SO intent on banning our sport? you guys are... crushing my dreams of becoming a trainer. I CRIED when Big brown didn't win, but i was mostly making sure he was fine. And he was, hes perfectly fine. And I cried when Barbaro broke down, but that didn't make me not love the sport. It happens, it just happens. In everything, it happens in life. If a boy is running and trips over a rock and breaks his leg, would you call it cruel???

Please respond to this, because i want to see what you guys say. Please don'r be mean, I'm just making a point.

Posted by: Danica | June 9, 2008 10:02 AM

Great protest Peta! Again, your dedication to issues, really shows. I think the decision to pull up Big Brown by jockey Kent Desormeaux spoke volumes. That act essentially flies in the face of what horse racing is all about. Perhaps the lessons from the Eight Belles trajedy, is now burned in many more peoples' minds (including the jockeys themselves). "Spare the rod and save the horse"...good call Desormeaux. You may even be considered a bit of a hero for that call.

Posted by: kacey | June 9, 2008 10:10 AM

Danica, nothing could be more pitiful than watching people get duped into supporting horse abuse by the lowlifes that run horseracing.

Horseracing is built on an entire foundation of abuse and fraud.

Maybe you should care more about the horses that just "disappear" from the racing world, which is MOST horse. These http://dealwithitdaily.blogspot.com/2008/05/no-day-off-running-for-their-lives.html

Posted by: kelly | June 9, 2008 10:55 AM

You know, I was at that demonstration and it didn't really occur to me until I was in my air-conditioned car. It was really hot that day--too hot for any activity for anyone to partake in. All the drugs and whipping of the horses that goes on aside; forcing any animal to run in that kind of heat should be charged with cruelty to animals, period!

Another thing these people who think so highly of horse racing seem to forget is: How do you think they move these horses from place to place? Think about it. We’ve all been on long road trips. Imagine having to stand in a bumpy trailer for hundreds of miles for several hours, several times a year.

Don’t let anyone tell you they care about these horses. All they care about is the money they make. That’s it! I even heard an expert in the horseracing field (on a radio show) say that we must put the horses ahead of the money.

I say let them live out their days in an open meadow, where they belong – Free!

I’m sure people can find something else to do on their weekends to amuse themselves. From what I saw, most of them get drunk anyway. Try the patio or the balcony of the place where you live and leave the animals out of it!

Posted by: Eric Silberstein | June 9, 2008 11:01 AM

Why don they insist on breeding race horses with ankles smaller than humans. These majestic creatures weigh ove 1000 pounds and run over 40 mph on ankles smalles than ours. Why are jockeys allowed to whip the horses that know they shouldn't be running full out. Why are these horses running on dirt? I say bring back the gladiators and let people bet on them at least they have a choice to fight or not.

Posted by: Connie Simpson | June 9, 2008 11:49 AM

it's so funny how big mouth rick the d*ick dutrow has said nothing since before the race, leaving big brown's owner to try and explain the debacle. the whole thing is just too shady for me. i hope all of these horse 'handlers' come back in another life as race horses..and i'd love to be the jockey!!

Posted by: jessica | June 9, 2008 11:57 AM

STOP WAGERING PLEASE STOP SUPPORTING THIS CRUEL INDUSTRY! FOR EVERY DOLLAR YOU WAGE, ANOTHER HORSE IS EXPLOITED ANOTHER HORSE GOES TO SLAUGHTER ANOTHER HORSE BREAKS DOWN MERCILESSLY.

Posted by: Gina Powell | June 9, 2008 11:59 AM

We see the peta activists were pushed to stand over the highway and not near the racetrack.They will never stand a chance at fighting horse racing,at least this is 1 industry that can match peta in funds.

Posted by: Anita Gerami | June 9, 2008 12:05 PM

Listen to Kelly, she is right.

Thanks Kelly for your wisdom.

Go Vegan

Posted by: Holly | June 9, 2008 12:09 PM

A Possible Scenario: Big Brown's connections cut deals with bookies to ensure the first 2 wins. The connections make 50 million, stir up public support for a triple crown winner resulting in huge money wagered and agree to make sure that he does not win. The bookies cash in HUGE on the longshort and eventual winner. They make about 150 million off the unsuspecting public instead of giving out 150 million IF Big Brown won. Perhaps a little sponge up his nose created his distress in the stretch when he needed oxygen exchange the most. Oh, by the way, they DO NOT CHECK for sponges up the nose. How convenient don't you think. Given the trainers shady past and questionable connections, this scenario is possible. So the connections win by 50 million, the legal bookies win by about 150 million, the trainer was allegedly paid off about 1 million and everyone is happy EXCEPT BIG BROWN. This is a possible scenario that the racing industry will never let be investigated and they could not prove it anyways unless somebody talks.

Posted by: Gina Powell | June 9, 2008 12:12 PM

Interesting Gina, very interesting...

I wonder...

Go Vegan...

Posted by: Holly | June 9, 2008 12:23 PM

I would just like to say that I was disappointed about Eight Belles. I was disappointed about Big Brown. I am not against horse racing BUT I am against all the drugs these horses are fed. Yes, these animals love to race. I have nothing against horse racing. WHY CAN'T RACING BE DONE FAIR AND SQUARE? Everyone involvled pays for it in the end. Eight Belles owner paid for it along with the poor horse, and now Big Brown (maybe they would have won without all the extras). These animals have beautiful spirits. Why not let them run without the extra crap and on a track that will not break their legs? I think its very sad. They have trashed Big Brown in the news b/c he didn't win. I still think he is a great athlete even if he didn't win.

Posted by: Laura McGarvey | June 9, 2008 12:24 PM

Dear Danica:

According to news reports, it was 90-plus degrees at Belmont Park on Saturday. As a former East Coast citizen, I know all too well that 90 is HOT, especially when humidity is also a factor. Why don't you try running with a jockey on your back for a mile and a half? See how you feel at the quarter pole!!!

How strange that people, including the trainer and jockey, would be puzzled about why Big Brown didn't fire. I give much credit to Kent Desormeaux. He cared more about Big Brown than saving face with a hard-pushed fifth place finish. What's the point?

News reports over the last two months have been replete with comment after comment about Big Brown's intelligence. The trainer told how he was very aware of his surroundings, enjoyed all the attention of people,and even stopped to pose for pictures, etc. Because of his intelligence, he knew his limitations. Why would you then be puzzled at his lackluster performance?
For a person who aspires to train racehorses, I respectfully suggest you pay more attention to how horses "feel". Did you ever stop to think that perhaps Big Brown just didn't feel up to the race that day? Did you ever consider that he might be tired and weary of the heat? As a horsewoman of more than 40 years, I can watch a horse for just a few seconds and tell you if he/she is in good form. You can really guage their condition by riding them. They let you know how they feel if you care enough to pay attention. I don't care how much the issue of his quarter crack was downplayed--who knows how he really felt?

When human beings stop forcing animals to do their bidding for all the wrong reasons, and instead consider that animals are capable of feeling so many of the same emotions and conditions that humans feel, humanity will have at long last achieved a significant milestone in our evolution of consciousness.

Until then, we will continue to stumble around in the darkness, exploit those who have no voice, and treat each other with disrespect and contempt.

Big Brown is a superlative racehorse. Unfortunately, he was not in top form on Saturday. We must just accept it and change the way we think about, and treat animals.

A good start would be to overhaul horse-racing from top to bottom. It is nothing but a haven for greed and corruption.

Posted by: Susan T | June 9, 2008 01:23 PM

The Stud horse is a lonely horse...its not a great life for him...I am sad for Big Brown, his life will never be the same...
Be nice to him horse owners...
and dont let him or your other horses go to slaughter!

Go Vegan...

Posted by: Holly | June 9, 2008 02:41 PM

Our family does not promote animal racing, however, we are proud and so happy to see a jockey such as Desormeaux in the industry. Change comes from the inside. Real change. And for all of those who blame him for losing money- Well, I am glad he prefers that over the blame and guilt had he raced his horse to final injury and death. Desormeaux is what we need. People who balance ethics within what society has evolved into, and change systems from the inside-caring more for people and our enviornment than dollars. Go Desormeaux.

Posted by: Geraldine | June 9, 2008 08:55 PM

Susan T. Thank-you!!

Posted by: Carla | June 10, 2008 12:25 PM

i was so glad to see the triple crown stay where it belongs. i love big brown, but he just wasnt supposed to win. i think he ran out of gas, and said this is enough. i have already seen my friend eight belles go down. i dont want to die like that. i"m gonna take it easy.i am glad his jockey cared enough about him, as edgar prado did about barbaro.he is a hero, for pulling his horse up, and saving his life. i do not want to hear anything rick dutrow or the owners have to say. they showed they care not one ounce of love for big brown by their actions after the race. dont worry bi brown the rest of us are glad you are still alive and well.

Posted by: rosemary | June 10, 2008 05:26 PM

I myself love to see horses run. I am starting up my own VERY small, personal racing stable. I plan to show the world that some horses really do love to run and that they can do so WITHOUT drugs and being in a stall 24/7. All of my horses will have nice pastures to relax in with other horses at least 3 days a week and they will never be given any medication (unless prescribed by a vet, but never asked to perform while on it) and they will have a much more natural training schedule. Trail riding, track work, off time and they will not be started in a race until they reach 32 months old (2 years, 8 months). This means they wil not have a rider on them until 2 1/2 years old. If anyone would like to know more about my training program I would be more than happy to talk to anyone, mineshaftminiatures@yahoo.com

Alicia

Posted by: Alicia | June 10, 2008 07:27 PM

Way to go, Big Brown and his jockey! I love horses but not horse racing. I told my sister that perhaps he just didn't FEEL LIKE RACING that day and that was THAT. When it comes down to it, these horses are large animals and they are not stupid and I am just SO HAPPY he LOST!!! I was furious when they were going to let him run with his hoof problem. It's like God gave him wisdom to "speak for" the good of all horses on that day.

Posted by: Mary Roberts | June 10, 2008 09:38 PM

Big Brown was not lame. He was just tired. The jockey even said: "I simply had no horse." Running the Belmont is hard a whole mile and a half. It's the ultimate test of the true champion. Also, it was 93 degrees ferenheit that day with unbearible humidity. You try runnig that long in that kind of heat, and see how muck energy you have left at the end. He was simply tired.

Posted by: Liz | June 11, 2008 09:13 PM

Danica:
I used to enjoy horse racing too, when I was still young and idealistic and so blown away by the athleticism of champion horses that I never thought of the suffering of they and all the so-called inferior horses that don't make it to the public eye. As I became more experienced with horses it quickly became clear to me that horse racing is a cruel and exploitative endeavor and the animals, even if they are champions, rarely come first. If you care about horses as much as you seem to and continue to educate yourself about their true physiology (as opposed to the romantic 'they love to run' bs the horse racing industry and Walter Farley books have surely filled your mind with) you will certainly come to the same conclusion. No one here is going to feel bad about 'crushing your dream of becoming a trainer'--maybe instead you could redirect your focus to the rehabilitation of spent and abused race horses. Maybe I'll see you at a racing protest someday.
P.S. It's true that horses break legs just goofing off in turn-out and have to be euthanized every day. But if they are mortally injured on a regular basis (2X day) in a competition created for human enjoyment, the humans need to find another way to entertain themselves. Stop putting your wants before the health and safety of the animals. Really.

Posted by: elphaba | June 14, 2008 08:48 PM

Laura McGarvey : no, no, you're not reading me right. They probebly should not have run the horses on a hot day like that. And ya it probebly did lead to big browns loss. I new when he started warming up that he wasn't going to win. I can just tell. But don't tell me that I'm doing the job for money and fame. Because thats not close to true at all.I live right near suffolk downs race track, and I watch the horses run a lot. And I barely ever see any of the horses get hurt. And When i watch them up close like that, I can tell there enjoying it. I can see by the looks of there eyes.

Liz: Maybe you will, but I highly doubt it. Like I said abouve, I see horses every other day, alot, and there happy. Have you ever looked in the eye of one of the racehorses? And maybe I will change my opinion someday, but i really can't see myself doing that. I care for the horses, sooooooooo much more than you guys would even understand. but i still love the sport. The sport is my everything.
P.S Thank you for not yelling at me because I am sure there are many people that would want to

Posted by: Danica | June 15, 2008 10:56 PM

Have any of you in this organization ever seen a truly great racehorse up close? They love racing more than anything, how can you say they're being forced to do it?

And how is it the jockey's fault if Eight Belles broke down? Things like this happen. There are accidents in every sport, not just the ones involving animals. Her jockey could not have known what was going to happen and it's certainly not something he should be suspended over.

Posted by: Sara | June 16, 2008 06:21 PM

Horses rarely break their legs just goofing off, usually there is some idiot on their back galloping.

Big Brown had a split hoof he should not have been on the track at all.

I am sick of people saying horses love to race, they may love to run but in their meadow by choice not being whipped to death by a jockey. These people who love the sport of horse racing need to wake up and start caring about the horses!!!

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK PETA!!! ROCK THE WORLD OF THESE GREEDY MEN WHO PROFIT FROM THIS BRUTAL SPORT!!!

Posted by: Liz S. | June 17, 2008 12:21 AM

Danica:
Find another everything. I hope you grow out of your selfishness and shortsightedness someday.

Posted by: elphaba | June 17, 2008 05:25 PM

screw all of you ill-informed degenerates.

Posted by: kaitlin | June 19, 2008 01:45 AM

Thankyou so much PETA for
standing up for the horses.
I agree with Liz. There is no evidence that horses love to race. I was outraged that Eight Belle's stupid trainer stated that "she was glad to put her life on the line" .
That sort of comment resulted in him shooting himself in the foot. Asking Big Brown to
race again when he was obviously not ready for it just confirms the greed and morals of a sick and barbaric industry that exploits an animal whose beauty and goodness is unsurpassed.

Posted by: Sandra Jorgensen | June 20, 2008 09:21 PM

Elphaba: wow you're rude. really really rude. and nice name by the way. Elphaba is a wayy better person than you'll ever be

Posted by: Danica | June 23, 2008 06:13 PM

Danica:
I'm always rude to selfish brats who put their happiness above the health and safety of animals they 'love.'

Posted by: elphaba | June 24, 2008 10:42 AM

Elphaba: wow you're calling me a brat and selfish? Why? because I love the sport. Because I find it amazing and awsome. Because I KNOW that the horses don't mind running. Look, what I'm trying to say is that Horseracing in all isn't bad. Somethings, such as the trainers who use steriods and breaking a horse at 2 years old is wrong, but it doesn't mean the whole entire sport is wrong and stupid, and cruel, because it's not. It just isn't true.

Posted by: danica | June 24, 2008 02:10 PM

Danica:
Don't feel bad. My parents have long exploited thoroghbreds--growing up I had only to look out my bedroom window to see a perfect specimen--and I find them to be just as selfish as you. I am sure horses don't 'mind' running either, but forcing them to do so at high speeds for human pleasure when you know there's a good chance they won't come back in one piece makes anyone a selfish brat. Grow up. Horseracing is animal abuse and no better than dogfighting. Period.

Posted by: elphaba | June 25, 2008 11:36 AM

Elphaba: I'm not backing down. I know I'm right. If you go ride around you horse in your own rink and ask him to jump a small jump and he stubles and breaks a leg or just stumbles but ends up okay, are you gonna call it cruel. Now i know that there are no steriod useage in that but i dont like the steriods! or age them at age 2. I may be only 14 but i know just as much about horses as you do. I know people who work with the horses, i see them all the time. And most all horses come back perfectly fine. why would cigar have done so well if he hated racing. his ears pricked at practically every end of a race. Curlin, running his heart out no matter where he goes, doing so well everywhere, may lose a few times, but hes fine. even smaller racehorses. Local horse at the track C.B's twister: loves to run, runs his best everytime, ears pricked alert, happy when coming back. when he doesn't win, which is somewhat frequent, his jockey pulls him up, pats him on the neck, C.B's twister snorts, Owner kisses him on the nose, trainer pats his side and C.B's ears are pricked. And hes only one of the MANY horses I see that happen like that

Posted by: Danica | June 25, 2008 11:04 PM

You don't have to back down, Danica, but I won't either. I'm sure I've forgotten more about horses than you'll ever know, and I hope the 'sport' is dead before you're old enough to participate. But if it is still around, go ahead and do your thing, and I'll be sure to do mine and protest.
Remember Ruffian? Of course not, how could you? Her trainer had the good sense to be terrified every time she went out on the track because he knew how fragile TB's were/are. But he still did it, time after time, and she died entertaining humans.

Posted by: elphaba | June 27, 2008 12:16 PM

elphaba ..
Do you know how Ruffian died?

Posted by: Dave | June 27, 2008 12:57 PM

Yes Dave, I know how Ruffian died--she was run into the ground, quite literally. Are you saying you find that acceptable?

Posted by: elphaba | June 27, 2008 05:22 PM

Elphaba..
She was run into the ground..Is really the kind of the BS answer I expected to get...."Horseracing is animal abuse and no better than dogfighting. Period." Everytime statements like this are made yourself and PETA keep losing credibility...I laugh everytime I read a response like yours... Just a general pile of crap with NO facts to back them... Where did you get your extensive knowledge of horse racing? Perhaps you took the crash course offered by HBO like everybody else around here. Do yourself and PETA a favor... LEARN ask questions visit a farm ... LEARN..If a horse breaks a sesamoid running alone in a field is it acceptable? . Sesamoid breaks can happen in all disciplines BTW.. Ruffian won 10 of 11 races no doubt the best filly ever to race. She Lead in every race she ever ran. Tragically.. both sesamoid bones in her right foreleg broke.She underwent an emergency operation lasting 3 hours... when the anesthesia wore off after the surgery, she thrashed about wildly on the floor of a padded recovery stall as if still running in the race. Despite the efforts of operating room attendants. She tore open her cast and reinjured her ankle.Doctors decided to euthanized her shortly afterwards.Because it is natural for horses to thrash and kick when coming out of anesthesia.A "recovery pool" was developed so when they awake they are suspended in warm water and don't re-injure themselves.... You want to quote history.. Start using facts real facts .. Now do you remember Ruffian?

Posted by: Dave | June 27, 2008 10:17 PM

Actually, I may not have been alive during ruffians time, but i know a lot about her. And she loved to run. she creamed all the other horses she ran against. And do you even know the trainers name? It was Frank Whitely who has recently passed away and i do not take kindly to people who say rude stuff about him . he was an amazing trainer and always cared about his horses

Posted by: Danica | June 27, 2008 10:19 PM

Elphaba: Actually I do know ruffian thank you very much. She was an amazing filly and she gave everything she got to win... because she loved to run. If you didnt notice, in her first race, frank whitely told the jockey (To hard to spell) NOT to whip her and she was already i think 11 lenghth ahead of the field when the jockey wanted to see how much she could run and with one little tap she pulled ahead to fiftenn weeks

and do you even know her trainers name!? I bet not. Frank Whitely, and he recently passed away, so if you're insulting him, you better watch what you say, because he was an amazing trainer and he loved ruffian and ALL of his horses so much.... just like dutrow, and pletcher, Zito, Matz. Do you even know who these guys are??? probebly not.

Posted by: danica | June 29, 2008 01:38 AM

sorry i didn't think the first one went through. But i still want to prove my point. And Thank you Dave for posting that :) very well said

Posted by: Danica | June 29, 2008 11:04 PM

Once upon a time, man used horses for transportation and so on. We have now reached a time where we don't need them for transportation nor racing for human entertainment. If man wants to see how fast something is capable of going, we now have what's called the automobile, but I forgot these people would not enjoy that as much because they wouldn't have as much control over an automobile as they do over a help less animal. They wouldn't be able to drug an engine nor would "beating" an engine make it run faster. These people make me sick, it's to the point of perversion. "Leave the horses alone". However GREED will always take a man's soul. I hope in my lifetime I can see our "greedy" and "corrupt" politicians pass some "serious" laws, not band-aid laws to protect our animals. "Please Lord".

Posted by: Robert Cucciardi | June 30, 2008 02:18 AM

I`m a horseracing fan, I love to watch the races when thy come on, amd that bethe case, obviousely, I support it. But there arthings that I don`t agree with. For example: Big Brown shouldn`t have been raced on Belmont Day, not with a cracked hoof. Obviousely, there`s problems if they let thir horse run like that, and they got what was to be expected.

In the case of Eight Belles, that was the jockey`s fault. As a horse rider, I can tell if someone is riding badly, the horse is uncomfortable, or if they do something wrong. And I observed the way the jockey pulled her up to stop her at the end of the race. He jercked the reins, witch told her to make a suddon stop, and since she wasn`ta reinging horse (obviousey), she wasn`t trained to do so, so when she stopped, she put all her weigh onto her front hooves (I noticed that as I watched it on youtube, on witch they had a clip, witch was hard to watch) whitch resulted in the breaking. Obviousely, if she had had another rider, she wouldn`t have sustained the injury.

In Barbaro`s case, it was a mistep, nothing could have prevented it. Although, they shouldn`t have raced him after he broke throughthe gate, he should`ve been scratched.

And yes, racing has othr flaws, like the whip, the whip isn`t a bad thing, but how it`s used can be. And steriods is obviousely a huge flaw. There can be bad owners, trainers, and vets involved in the horse`s life to.

All in all, racing isn`t a bad thing but how it`s done, can be.

Posted by: Susan | July 1, 2008 06:44 PM

Dave and Danica:
I am bored with both of you. I feel no need to prove what I know about horses to a couple of idiots who wouldn't know the business end of one. Because of what I know I can see past all of the bs romantic notions people like you have, and I know that it is wrong to create an animal with a desire to run that eclipses its ability to support itself. Stupid, stupid idiots.
Danica, Frank Whitely knew better than anyone how fragile Ruffian was, and I will happily insult anyone responsible for the death of such a magnificent animal.

Posted by: elphaba | July 2, 2008 02:39 PM

elphaba....
That's exactly what I expected.... The "I'm right your wrong" attitude. This is the reason people don't take PETA too seriously.. You run around like a chicken with no head .When asked a question you fight back with some dribble you read in a magazine... Frank Whitely knew he raced a horse with 10 previous starts.If he knew she would break down he never would have raced her. Seabiscuit ran 89 times was he run to the ground? Again stay out of arguments you know nothing about. You want to talk horses? Prove your great knowledge. "I feel no need to prove what I know about horses " Makes you sound like the cry baby . Put on your big girl panties and dry your eyes . You want to go around or two with a horseman of 47 years.. Give me whats in your head not your heart... Tell me how will you stop horseracing? Instead of wasting your time fighting with me . I wish you would focus your energy on the real problems. Tell me how many horse adoption agencies do you work with? How many horses have you adopted or placed? How many horses have you taken care of out of your own pocket before you can find them good homes. Can I dare you to ask me Those questions? And still I have room for two adopted Greyhounds. Stop running around pointing the finger DO something...

Posted by: Dave | July 2, 2008 07:54 PM

Dave, why can't you let this go? I've heard your arguments time and again, and they clearly mean as little to me as mine do to you. You can be wrong if you like, but I grew bored with this long ago and will not be back for more. Horse racing=exploitation, and I will continue to do whatever I can to stop it while you and Danica cling to a dying 'sport.'
Peace OUT.

Posted by: elphaba | July 3, 2008 06:29 PM

I think the funny part about all of this is that people blame the drugs, and the hoof. but was it either of them? probably not. it was probably the jockey giving a shitty ride because he had thousands of people watching him, waiting for him to screw up. or maybe it was the extreme heat and high humidity. and where was PETA at the Kentucky Rolex? Why isn't there a fight for safer jumps, and more safety precautions?

Posted by: Sarah Clair | July 6, 2008 07:04 PM

Big Brown has an amazing talent and they are racing it out of him! His jockey knew what he was doing though. Not many jockeys are like that.

Posted by: shelby | July 11, 2008 08:26 PM

Sarah Clair, your right, I didn`t think of that, although I doubt it was the rider... but I mean, it might not have been the cracked hoof. It could have just simply been an off day, everyone has their off days. He could have just not felt like racing that day.

Posted by: Susan | July 14, 2008 03:54 PM

Big Brown losing wasn't because of his hoof. That was basically like your fingernail getting a little line in it. Doesn't hurt anything, especially not when they wrapped it, meshed it, and then put animal-safe fiberglass over all that to ensure it wouldn't hurt him. Maybe he shouldn't have run in the Belmont. That's asking a lot of a horse who, in 6 races, hadn't run that far, and especially not in that heat. Why he lost was not because of any injury, even him throwing a shoe didn't faze him. Kent was smart in pulling him up, however, and i agree he may have saved his life. But Big Brown won his last race, which just says to me he doesn't take heat too well, and the temperature just threw him off his game. Now as for his trainer, i wish BB had a different trainer, i really do. I do not condone what rick dutrow did, never will. But i also don't condone PETA for trying to protest a sport that has been around since the age of kings (hell it even goes back to ancient greece. and if i'm not mistaken, they were the ones who first came up with safety for the horses, not just the riders). I appreciate what peta tries to do for many cases, but i think they should focus on the real issues, like banning trainers who abuse the drugs, and petitioning for all tracks to be poly tracks, which are much much softer and don't slick up when it rains. Focus on the issues, rather than ban the whole sport and ruin it for those who actually do care about the animals, and don't really care about the money.

Posted by: kat | August 6, 2008 08:53 PM