If anyone is interested:
Ring the Belles
National petition pleases trainer
By Julia Hunter, New Era Staff Writer
A national petition to honor filly Eight Belles by ringing eight bells before the start of next year's Kentucky Derby sounds
like a wonderful idea to the horse's trainer Larry Jones, a Christian County native.
The online petition, which had 6,140 signatures at press time today, pushes for the ringing of eight bells in memory of the filly before the start of the 135th
Kentucky Derby. The ringing of eight bells is a nautical euphemism for "finished."
Eight Belles, the 39th filly to run in the Kentucky Derby, broke both front ankles nearly a quarter mile after she took second place in this year's Derby
on May 3. She was euthanized on the track.
"I'm very pleased and honored they're doing something to remember her," Jones said. "She's one of only five fillies to run first or
second in the Derby. She gave up her life for that race."
The online petition at www.8BellsForEightBelles.org allows people to sign the petition, make comments and
spread the word by printing press releases, business cards or paper petitions. The Web site's intro begins with the ringing of eight bells running
simultaneously with the words: Spirit…Courage…Hope…Beauty…Heart…Grace…Determination…Champion…Eight Belles.
The filly has been cremated, Jones said in a phone interview with the New Era today as he exercised a horse in Delaware.
Jones, one never too busy to answer the phone or take a moment for the media, will be named this year's "Good Guy."
The National Turf Writers Association, an association of journalists and writers who report on the horse racing industry, will present the Red Smith "Good Guy Award" to Jones this fall, he said. The award, in honor of well-known syndicated sports columnist Red Smith, honors a member of the sports community that is known for their popular personality.
Meanwhile, the Jones-trained horse, Maren's Meadow, will run in Friday's $200,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. The race is for the fillies before Saturday's Preakness Stakes.
8 Bells for Eight Belles










