Eight Belles

In 2008 when we had Big Brown and Eight Belles coming so close to each other, fans were concerned about Eight Belles from a safety perspective and with Big Brown from an integrity perspective - steroids.

Liz O'Connell: Horse Racing 2011: NTRA Chief Alex Waldrop Weighs In Liz O'Connell 2011

She is the granddaughter of Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled and cousin to Eight Belles, the mare who suffered a catastrophic breakdown during the 2008 Kentucky Derby as the whole world was watching.

Ingrid Newkirk: Thoroughbreds: From Elite to Meat Ingrid Newkirk 2011

In 2008 when we had Big Brown and Eight Belles coming so close to each other, fans were concerned about Eight Belles from a safety perspective and with Big Brown from an integrity perspective - steroids.

Liz O'Connell: Horse Racing 2011: NTRA Chief Alex Waldrop Weighs In Liz O'Connell 2011

She is the granddaughter of Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled and cousin to Eight Belles, the mare who suffered a catastrophic breakdown during the 2008 Kentucky Derby as the whole world was watching.

Ingrid Newkirk: Thoroughbreds: From Elite to Meat Ingrid Newkirk 2011

Of course the real issue here is that Eight Belles is the second horse in 2 years to lose her life to injuries inflicted in the Derby.

Jessie Gaskell: Eight Belles' Death Not a Blow for Feminism 2009

I'd prefer not to use the term "filly" as it is the language of the oppressor, so for our purposes, we will refer to Eight Belles as a "racewoman."

Jessie Gaskell: Eight Belles' Death Not a Blow for Feminism 2009

A big point of discussion about Saturday's race was whether Eight Belles should have opted to run instead in the all-women's race - the Kentucky Oaks, which none of you have ever heard of (the WNBA of Derby).

Jessie Gaskell: Eight Belles' Death Not a Blow for Feminism 2009

Because the euthanized Eight Belles was a female racehorse, it is her sex that indignant men have focused on.

Jessie Gaskell: Eight Belles' Death Not a Blow for Feminism 2009

But this speculation is only intended to scare women into reaching only as high as the all-women's league; Eight Belles had a real shot at becoming a legendary racehorse - not just among lady horses, but period (no pun intended).

Jessie Gaskell: Eight Belles' Death Not a Blow for Feminism 2009

As a woman, and a feminist, I am appalled at my male "comedian" friends 'implications that the tragic fall of Eight Belles at Saturday's Kentucky Derby is somehow indicative of a female inability to compete in sporting events, and general incompetence.

Jessie Gaskell: Eight Belles' Death Not a Blow for Feminism 2009