Trainer Larry Jones told The Associated Press on Monday that if the Derby were run again tomorrow, he'd put jockey Gabriel Saez right back on one of his horses.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has called for the suspension of Saez. The group says the horse must have been injured during the race, and Saez should have pulled her up rather than finish.
But Jones says Saez acted exactly as he should have. He says the jockey started whipping the horse to prevent her from running into the rail.
Track personnel try to hold down Eight Belles as jockey Gabriel Saez walks past after the 134th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Eight Belles was euthanized after breaking both front ankles following a second-place fin
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