It took less than 24 hours for the nuts to become vocal

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I remain a PETA member because they alone have the muscle and will-power to speak for the animals world-wide who suffer unbelievable abuse...as Pgardn and others have documented, they do so much good...but the public perception is distorted due to episodes like this! Working in animal rescue, many times I have felt the anger and frustration...so easy to seek blame! This certainly appears to be a tragic event that simply "happened"...blame must take a back seat to sorrow. Do we need to look at whip use in this country? I believe the answer is "yes"...other parts of the world have drastically reduced whip usage without damaging the sport, I think we should also. Surfaces? it's still early but the stats clearly show that while number of injuries remain somewhat constant with poly surfaces (compared to dirt), the number of catastrophic injuries is statistically significantly reduced...we must place horse (and jockey) welfare above handicapping concerns here! So...yes, PETA has valid points here....but attacking this young man is clearly wrong. I agree that PETA is it's own worst enemy many times...but I understand the emotional context from which these actions materialize. There simply is no justification for slaughtering animals in cruel and vicious acts of barbarism, whether it's peasants in Mexico, slaughterhouse employees in Canada, Michael Vick in the US or YUM Brands to produce KFC chicken. Then there is "research" for drug and cosmetic companies...the list of abuses go on seemingly forever. Yes, PETA often behaves badly and I feel "gets it wrong" in regards to racing...but at least they are heard...and someone has to speak up! RIP Eight Belles! My heart goes out to her connections and the brave young man who rode her!

PETA is useless waste of life.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

PETA is useless waste of life.

Why bother to quote my post when you don't address any of the points I mentioned? You could simply make you point of view known without the quote, seems like wated effort...

[somerfrost]

I was listening to Jim Rome on radio earlier...since he gotten into the sport he's been a big supporter of racing. Rome is an opinionated guy but I like him (even when I strongly disagree with him) because he speaks with conviction. He took a call from a wacko (yes, I call him that) who is a PETA member, the guy went through the mindless talking points of "animals are people too" and Rome was patient with him. Afterwards admidst the slew of angry phone calls and e-mails Rome noted that while he disagreed with the guy's presentation, he did raise some valid points. This is what I've been saying...we DO need to look at what happened and how it could possibly be avoided in the future...whip usage, track condition, training procedures...these are all valid concerns. IF there is fault then let it fall where it may. Rome believes that horses do enjoy racing (I agree), he doesn't think the injury happened earlier in the race (I don't either) and he can't believe the jock would risk the horse's life as well as his own (there were 18 horses rumbling along behind him afterall) to keep pushing her knowing she was injured. I agree! The accusations of PETA members against the jock, trainer and owners are ill-timed and just plain wrong in my opinion (I mailed a letter to PETA this morning expressing my anger over such irresponsible rhetoric) but I agree with Rome that this must be examined...not to place blame but to learn why and how perhaps we can prevent another wonderful animal's death in the future. He is having a woman from TVG on his TV show today to talk about it...should be worth watching!

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I was listening to Jim Rome on radio earlier...since he gotten into the sport he's been a big supporter of racing. Rome is an opinionated guy but I like him (even when I strongly disagree with him) because he speaks with conviction. He took a call from a wacko (yes, I call him that) who is a PETA member, the guy went through the mindless talking points of "animals are people too" and Rome was patient with him. Afterwards admidst the slew of angry phone calls and e-mails Rome noted that while he disagreed with the guy's presentation, he did raise some valid points. This is what I've been saying...we DO need to look at what happened and how it could possibly be avoided in the future...whip usage, track condition, training procedures...these are all valid concerns. IF there is fault then let it fall where it may. Rome believes that horses do enjoy racing (I agree), he doesn't think the injury happened earlier in the race (I don't either) and he can't believe the jock would risk the horse's life as well as his own (there were 18 horses rumbling along behind him afterall) to keep pushing her knowing she was injured. I agree! The accusations of PETA members against the jock, trainer and owners are ill-timed and just plain wrong in my opinion (I mailed a letter to PETA this morning expressing my anger over such irresponsible rhetoric) but I agree with Rome that this must be examined...not to place blame but to learn why and how perhaps we can prevent another wonderful animal's death in the future. He is having a woman from TVG on his TV show today to talk about it...should be worth watching!

I think Rome did a good job addressing the issue on his TV show...true, he said nothing new to those of us who love this sport, particularly those who have actually worked on the backstretch, but more does need to be done to demonstrate the love horsepeople have for their horses and the lengths most of us go to protect them. The public can't be allowed to judge racing on the tragic event of the Derby (as pointed out on another show, this was the first on-track fatality in the history of the race)...this requires, as Rome said, a close look at the event and how to possibly prevent future tragedies.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I think Rome did a good job addressing the issue on his TV show...true, he said nothing new to those of us who love this sport, particularly those who have actually worked on the backstretch, but more does need to be done to demonstrate the love horsepeople have for their horses and the lengths most of us go to protect them. The public can't be allowed to judge racing on the tragic event of the Derby (as pointed out on another show, this was the first on-track fatality in the history of the race)...this requires, as Rome said, a close look at the event and how to possibly prevent future tragedies.

Barbaro was a pretty damn good national example of what the people of horse racing and the fans generally feel about the horses, and how they treat them.

Perhaps a reminder. I did like that NBC grabbed Dr. Dean Richardson for his comments - he has been in the national eye, has stellar credibility with the general public regarding horse racing. He and Dr. Bramlage are both excellent faces.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Mumtaz

Barbaro was a pretty damn good national example of what the people of horse racing and the fans generally feel about the horses, and how they treat them.

Perhaps a reminder. I did like that NBC grabbed Dr. Dean Richardson for his comments - he has been in the national eye, has stellar credibility with the general public regarding horse racing. He and Dr. Bramlage are both excellent faces.

Agreed! It has been stated on various sports talk shows today that racing injuries have statistically remained the same for the 40 years research has been done, about 1.6 out of 1000 entries. Certainly treatment has drastically improved (Dr Richardson's heroic efforts with Barbaro a good example). I do think breeding needs to be examined along with track surfaces and use of whip...lets not forget the med issues as well. Randy Moss gave an interview today where he recommended a ban on the whip and close examination of breeding practices, and race-day use of meds. I agree and think we must avoid hysteria and unwarranted accusations while taking a close look at these issues. As a footnote, Dr Bramlage said today that Eight Belles, broke three bones in her right front and two steps later broke down in her left front penetrating the skin. See was put down within 4 minutes thank god. This is what I thought and hopefully will answer accusations that she was hurt during the race...the jock appears 100% blameless here!

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Why bother to quote my post when you don't address any of the points I mentioned? You could simply make you point of view known without the quote, seems like wated effort...

I work in drug development. PETA has no clue what is going on. I can't believe anyone half way intelligent would state they support them.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

I work in drug development. PETA has no clue what is going on. I can't believe anyone half way intelligent would state they support them.

So, you question my intellect? Still, you haven't addressed any of the issues I addressed in my post...are you saying that drug research doesn't use animals? I hope not...! Anyway, if you read my posts, I say over and over that I am not a mindless clone in lockstep with their every position rather I appreciate the many good things they accomplish. In this case, I oppose their "rush to judgement" while admitting that racing, for it's own sake, needs to consider issues like whipping, track surfaces and breeding.