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HORSE RACING NOTEBOOK
Trainer orders drug test for filly
Associated Press
STANTON, Del. --
The trainer of Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles on Tuesday ordered drug testing as part of the autopsy, intent on dispelling any suggestion the filly might have been on steroids.Larry Jones said the tests for performance-enhancing drugs will come back negative on Eight Belles, who was euthanized after breaking both front ankles Saturday.
"I guarantee there were no steroids ever on the horse," Jones said at a news conference at Delaware Park, site of the filly's first win.
Jones said he was responding to unspecified criticism that his horse must have been on steroids because of her size.
"We're taking a lot of abuse out there. ... We're being accused of steroid abuse because she was so large," he said. "I can tell you that (owner Rick Porter) goes to the sale to look for good horses and that's one of the things you look for -- a horse that's big enough, strong enough and fast enough to compete in big races."
Also
PROTEST: A protest over the loss of Eight Belles drew nearly as many defenders of horse racing as it did protesters.
About 30 people from both sides held signs outside the offices of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals held signs that read, "Stop racing horses to the grave" and "Racing horses beaten and broken."
TV RATINGS: The Kentucky Derby earned the same ratings as last year despite not having the draw of the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, who attended in 2007. Saturday's broadcast of the race on NBC attracted a 8.8 national rating and a 21 share.
AP
