Trainer of Eight Belles defends jockey’s work

Janet Worne, Lexington Herald-Leader

Eight Belles, with Gabriel Saez up, crossed the finish line Saturday. Eight Belles was euthanized on the track after she broke both front legs.

Larry Jones maintains that Gabriel Saez only used the whip to keep the horse from running into the rail, not to urge her to run faster.

By JEFFREY MCMURRAY, Associated Press

Last update: May 5, 2008 - 11:56 PM

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LEXINGTON, KY. – The trainer of euthanized filly Eight Belles adamantly defended the way jockey Gabriel Saez handled the Kentucky Derby runner-up. In an interview Monday with the Associated Press, Larry Jones said Saez applied the whip only to prevent Eight Belles from crashing into the rail.

"This filly in every race has tried to drift toward the rail," Jones said. "It’s her comfort zone, and Gabriel knows this. This kid made every move the right move, and I hate it that they’re wanting to jump down his throat. He did not try to abuse that horse to make her run faster."

Jones spoke while traveling from Churchill Downs to Delaware with his other prized filly, Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell. Jones is scheduled to have a news conference this morning near the paddock at Delaware Park.

In a statement Monday, Saez said Eight Belles never indicated anything was wrong. "All I could sense under me was how eager she was to race," Saez said. "I was so proud of her performance, and of the opportunity to ride her in my first Kentucky Derby, all of which adds to my sadness."

Kentucky Horse Racing Authority executive director Lisa Underwood said Monday that racing stewards found no evidence of wrongdoing by Saez.

The Humane Society of the United States weighed in Monday, arguing that horses are becoming more fragile because they’re being bred for speed, not durability.

"There are problems coming to light more than ever — problems related to breeding," said Wayne Pacelle, Humane Society president. "Breeding too many horses, and waiting for someone else to clean up the problem. And breeding them for body characteristics that make these animals vulnerable … especially those spindly legs on top of these stout torsos."

Dr. Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian at Churchill Downs during the Derby, acknowledged there was merit to that argument. He suggested there should be more financial incentives for horses who display longevity, rather than just the ability to come up big in one huge race.

Alex Waldrop, president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said there will be an autopsy to find the cause of Eight Belles’ death.

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