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8 Bells for Eight Belles

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ImShellyC

8 Bells for Eight Belles

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Posts: 6629

(05/16/08 10:45:06)

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.

Jones said it would be fitting to honor her at Churchill Downs, where she lost her life, the same place he said her ashes would be spread.

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

MASAJ225

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Posts: 3228

(05/16/08 12:36:11)

WOW! That's pretty impressive. I'm curious..only male horses usually ride in KD? Are female horses ankles more delicate than male horses. I apologize for being ignorant where horses are concerned, but there are no horses around here.

ImShellyC

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Posts: 6631

(05/16/08 12:51:55)

Males horses are usually bigger and more powerful. It is rare for a filly to run the Derby and even rarer for one to do well. Eight Belles was a large filly; very tall horse.

The Kentucky Derby is actually only one of many races run at Churchill Downs on Derby day. Some races are restricted to fillies, some like the Derby are restricted by age.

I don't know a lot myself and I live 2 1/2 hours away.

ElizabethF

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Posts: 16387

(05/16/08 15:48:58)

Board Administrator

It just seems so barbaric to me to run those horses until their bones break - to risk their lives like that for our entertainment. I almost think it is time to take a look at that. Is it worth their lives for us to watch them run?

Elizabeth

MsDebbie

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Posts: 2139

(05/16/08 17:03:19)

I signed the petition! I've heard a few explanations about why TB's are so fragile now. Some people say that there is too much inbreeding, and, horses are being bred for speed but not soundness. Others say that horses are being trained and raced too young. Their skeletons haven't fully developed. The owners need to start thinking more of the welfare of the horses.

Has anyone watched the documetary on RealSports on HBO? I've only read about it, not watched it. But it is an undercover documentary about No Day Off, a horse that was raced at Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, WV. The track has a policy that any horse who does not finish first through fourth in their last five races, must be removed from the stable area within five days of that last race. Since most of the trainers at Mountaineer do not have farms and do not make money from their training endeavors, sending horses to Sugarcreek auction is an acceptable option for disposal. There are actually designated pick up days, Mondays and Thursdays. Lots of these horses end up being sold for slaughter. That's what happened to this poor 4-year-old horse. There's a petition to end this practice:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-more-meat-men-at-mountaineer-racetrack

Last Edited By: ElizabethF 05/18/08 21:47:50. Edited 2 times.

phillip

I signed the petition too

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