PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended

PETA wants Eight Belles jockey suspended


Buzz Up PrintNORFOLK, 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.”

Guillermo said if Saez is found at fault, the group wants the second-place prize of $400,000 won by Eight Belles to be revoked.

Saez, a 20-year-old Panama native, was riding in his first Kentucky Derby. He frequently rides for Jones.

A call to the jockeys’ room at Delaware Park, where Saez raced on Sunday, went unanswered.

Eight Belles, the first filly since 1999 to run in the Derby, appeared fine until collapsing while galloping out after the finish.

The letter to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority also sought a ban on whipping, limits on races and the age of racehorses, and a move to softer, artificial surfaces for all courses.

Scherzer to make 1st start Monday

Max Scherzer's electric effort out of the bullpen in his major-league pitching debut Tuesday night has earned him his first start for the Diamondbacks, on Monday against Philadelphia at Chase Field.

Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin made the announcement in his pregame meeting with reporters Wednesday.

Scherzer, the team's No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft (11th overall) out of the University of Missouri, will start, and right-hander Edgar Gonzalez will go to the bullpen. Gonzalez struggled in Tuesday night's game, opening the door for Scherzer.

The 23-year-old struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings of hitless relief against Houston.
"It is more a reflection of Max, although if Edgar pitches well, Max probably never gets in the game to see what he has to offer," Melvin said.

Scherzer said he is excited about the opportunity, "and I'm going out there to do my very best. I'm still excited (about his debut), but I'm glad it's over."

He relies on a high-octane fastball but will have to rely more on his full repertoire.
"I will have to have command of my off-speed pitches," Scherzer said.

Said Melvin: "He doesn't have to be a five-pitch guy. He's one of those few guys who can get by just on his fastball. But as a hitter, you can't just sit on that. He has a real easy delivery, and that adds to the ball getting on you quicker than you expect, especially the first time you see him."
Life of a role player Utilityman Chris Burke always has to come to the park expecting to play.
"You never know what your role is going to be on any given night, so what you have to do is try to be in the game, see how the game is going, see how the lineup is turning over, who they've got in their bullpen and try your best to be as ready as possible," said Burke, who started at third base Wednesday.

He was 0 for 3 with a walk and scored a run.

He came up with the Astros in 2004 and last season started at five positions.
"You're more focused on what your role is at that time," he said. "Certainly, if you asked me five years ago if I thought I'd be doing what I've done my first four years in the big leagues, I would have never thought that."

Tracy makes progress
Chad Tracy, in Tucson for extended spring training to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee, was 7 for 12 in his first two games and was scheduled to play in the field for the first time Wednesday, likely at first base.
Melvin said it might be about two more weeks before Tracy joins the big club, after a stint with Triple-A Tucson.
"Knowing him, I was surprised I didn't get a call from him, saying, 'Hey, I'm ready to go,' " Melvin said.