The jockeys should wear all black, and Eight Belles picture should be in the corner of the screen during the race.
Horse racing is just another example of exploiting animals for human amusement. It should be banned, of course, just as bullfighting, greyhound racing, rodeos, etc. We need federal legislation on this and it should be brought up in the presidential debates. If a candidate will not pledge to fight for animal rights and the death penalty for animal cruelty, then he/she should not get a vote.
But, for the present, at the Preakness, we should have a montage (like at the Oscars) of horses who have died (been murdered) and have gone on to the great pasture in the sky. Black legbands are a minimal gesture, but a much needed one.
Rollie, you’re out of your mind. Eight Belles’ death was a tragedy, yes, but you need to GET OVER IT and move on !!! If all the jockeys in ANY race wore black, there would be no way for anyone watching to tell them apart- and on top of this, you are asking people to violate a custom and tradition which has been around FAR LONGER than you have been ALIVE, pal. People need to see the different colors jockeys wear to be able to tell where their horses are- and the colors are used by more than just the spectators. The stewards use them, and so does the track announcer, for identification of horses both during races, and afterwards. Should there be a problem during a race, the outriders ( the guys who wear the red coats and are stationed at different spots around each track, and who are responsible for helping people in trouble) need to see who’s having the problem, so they will know how to respond to it. None of this is possible when everyone is wearing black, Rollie. Black is for funerals and wakes, not horse races.
Apart from this, contantly reminding people of what happened two weeks ago is going to do NO ONE ANY GOOD, and if you had an ounce of consideration for Eight Belles’ owners and human family, you’d realize that THEY will not appreciate such a gesture EITHER. The past is over with, Rollie- and dwelling on it isn’t going to help anyone, nor will it bring the filly back.
Enough said.Source(s):
I’m a horse owner and horse professional too, one who has experienced the tragedy of losing horses to injuries and disease, and I know that something like this would NOT be appreciated by anyone associated with that filly.
I think your concept and sentimentality have value – not that this kind of misfortune doesn’t happen to many other horses – but because the Preakness would likely have been her next race. Everyone would have looked forward to her being there, and her presence (even if only symbolic/pictoral) would perhaps help ease the grief of missing her. Legbands/armbands, and the pic window, would be just enough to keep her there, in our hearts, but all-black jockey outfits might be a bit too much.
This is a bit much! On the same day as the Kentucky Derby several other horses suffered catastrophic breakdowns in races across North America, why single out this one filly?
Yes it was sad and tragic that she was lost in such circumstances but instead of dwelling on what has happened the industry should be taking action to try to prevent it happening again.
Banning race-day medication would be a good start!
I think the jockeys wearing arm bands would be honorable. It was a horrific tragedy that touched millions of people. Although Eight Belles was not the first – the race in which she died in is the Super Bowl of horse racing. I’m just learning about horse racing – an expert by NO MEANS – but I’ve never seen a horse go down on national tv….and the image is forever burned into my mind. So very sad.
As sad as it was to lose Eight Belles, this request is too far fetched. Do you realize many colts or fillies have been lost in racing? How could we narrow down the memories to just one tragic fillie that was lost way too early before her time.
It is a nice thought, just not realistic. .
How about a black stripe on every saddlepad in rememberance of all racehorses that have broken down?
Leg bands slip too easily, which could cause another track tragedy.
sounds kinda dumb, to me.
I might sound stupid…
but why black leg bands?
