PETA Demands Derby Jockey Be Suspended

Don't look now, but the PETArds are at it again.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles' jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.

PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky's racing authority claiming the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish" and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles' death is investigated.

"What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?" PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. "If he didn't then we can probably blame the fact that they're allowed to whip the horses mercilessly."

Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones said the filly was clearly happy when she crossed the finish line.

"I don't know how in the heck they can even come close to saying that," Jones told The Associated Press on Sunday. "She has her ears up, clearly galloping out." (H/T - Breitbart)

And Jones is absolutely right. I watched the race - the wife is a big Triple Crown fan - and after watching the replays a few times, it was still difficult to discern if and when the horse was injured.

For PETA to say that Eight Belles was "doubtlessly injured before the finish" is puzzling to say the least. That is, unless they have super slo-mo replay on their Animal Spy Satellites. Dolts.