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PETA plans protests at Preakness and Belmont

BY ANDREW STRICKLER | andrew.strickler@newsday.com

May 15, 2008

With the image of a filly collapsing after finishing the Kentucky Derby still fresh in the public's mind, an international animal rights organization said it will protest at the remaining Triple Crown races.

The planned demonstrations by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals at the Preakness Saturday and the Belmont Stakes on June 7 will be the first times the group has targeted horse racing.

"The racing industry would have you believe that these horses are cared for and pampered," said PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo. "The reality is that this is an industry about speed and profit, and the horses are the tools to achieve that."

This year's Kentucky Derby on May 3 dramatically illustrated the dangers thoroughbreds face on the track. The racehorse Eight Belles was euthanized on the track when she fractured both front ankles after finishing second. Necropsy results showed no bone abnormalities that could have led to the collapse.

Eight Belles' death during one of horse racing's most visible moments, as well as the collapse of Barbaro during the Preakness in 2006, has renewed and intensified debate about the safety of racing and calls for reform.

On Wednesday, the Jockey Club's newly formed Thoroughbred Safety Commission began a review and update of safety recommendations, including track improvements and new medical protocols.

"After the tragedy at the Derby, the Jockey Club thought it was important to make those things move a little faster," said club spokesman Bob Curran Jr.

The decentralized horse racing industry has no governing body, and the Jockey Club, which registers American and Canadian thoroughbreds, has no authority to enforce recommendations.

Nationwide, almost two horses a day die or have to be euthanized in commercial horse racing, according to PETA. New York Racing Association spokesman John Lee said .PETA's statistics "sounded about right," but he could not provide an exact number. "Any number is high and it should be lower ... and I think the industry is moving toward that," he said.

Guillermo said in addition to racetrack breakdowns, PETA hoped to raise awareness of the use of pain-relief drugs given to race horses. While their use is legal, he said, "What it means is that horses are running on sore legs and with injuries."

PETA officials said they did not know how many people would attend the protests outside Pimlico Race Course in Maryland or at Belmont Park in Elmont on June 7.

The Baltimore Police Department "is aware and has reached out to PETA in regards to their planned protest, and we're confident everyone will enjoy themselves at Preakness," said Det. Nicole Monroe.

A Pimlico spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

Staff writer Ed McNamara contributed to this story, which was supplemented with an and Associated Press report.