Fox Hill Online Women Set Eight Belles Petition

A petition to improve horse racing regulations and safety, sponsored by concerned women using the Fox Hill (owners of Eight Belles) website is being signed and targeted for the House Sub-Committee studying that topic since the untimely death of the Thoroughbred filly in this year's Kentucky Derby. Eight Belles collapsed after finishing second in the classic, breaking both front ankles in a freak accident that many fans thought had weak breeding overtunes. The gray champion filly was quickly euthanized, as there was no hope for her survival, before her connections, jubilant over her second place effort, could reach her.

Commission Requested

Here are the main points of the petition supported by "fans of Eight Belles", "loyal supporters of horse racing", and "lovers of all animals".

1) "We request the development of a national regulatory body (commission) with power to oversee the sport, enforce rules nationwide, and levy heavy penalties on those who don't comply."

2) "We request the removal of all performance enhancing drugs (and other drugs potentially harmful to the animal) in training and on race day."

3) "We request that all owners, trainers, veterinarians, and breeders be held responsible for the proper handling, treatment and care of their horses."

4) "We request that the owners have the rightful power to make decisions, especially when it comes to track purses, publicity of races and any other important matters that are involved on race day."

5) "We request that an appropriate % (percent) of revenue from simulcasting be used to help in the treatment and care of retired racehorses."

6) "We request that the rules and regulations of horse racing be the same for every state."

7) "We request the establishment of a three stikes and you're out policy for any person caught violating the commission's drug policiies."

8) "We request that breeders who are not in compliance with the commission's rules and regulations suffer stiff fines and in some cases lose their breeding privileges."

9) "We request the development of programs at all tracks, like Phila. Park's 'Turning for Home', to offer horsemen the opportunity to retire their thoroughbreds to a farm like Cabin Creek Farm."

10) "We request that tracks make every effort to maintain their track surfaces and keep them in good and safe racing conditions."

11) "We strongly recommend that there be a cut off point for racehorses who continue to drop down the claiming ranks to compete."

12) "We request that anyone found guilty of sabotage, or in any other way knowingly compromises a horse's performance and/or health, be levied stiff sanctions, charged with a criminal offense and be banished from all tracks."

13) "We request that the commission conduct a study as to the use of crops and their effectiveness."

14) "We request that all tracks make a concerted effort to tighten up security around the barns to assure the safety of the horses housed there."

15) "We strongly recommend that a comprehensive, long-range investigation and study into the effectiveness of different track surfaces be launched (or continued) to determine the safest type of surface/surfaces, including consistency and depth of track."

In Addition

"We believe that the above steps should...be in place, when the commission takes office."

The petition may be read in its entirely at www.thepetitionsite.com/1/eight-belles-bill.

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