Horse racing is coming under fire from animal rights group PETA (which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). The organization states that they will hold a protest of the second leg of horse racing's triple crown, the Preakness Stakes, because of the deaths of Barbaro, who won the run roses but died in following race held at Pimilico Racetrack in 2006, and Eight Belles who broke down after finishing second at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

PETA is pushing for a wide array of changes to thoroughbred industry. The group staged a protest yesterday in Lexington, Kentucky, with 20 protesters with signs that had sayings such as "Stop Racing Horses to the Grave". A PETA spokesperson said this of the horse racing industry:

"Unfortunately, money and speed is all that matters to these people, and Eight Belles is the most famous recent example in a string of broken and dead animals," Lindsay Rajt stated.

The trainer of Eight Belles shot back at PETA saying they were capitalizing on a tragic situation and using the horrific event as a fundraiser for their organization. Larry Jones, who trained the filly, stated:

Kent Desormeaux rode Derby favorite Big Brown to win the 134th Kentucky Derby. Finishing in second was filly Eight Belles, who was injured in the race and immediately euthanized after compound fractures in the front legs. Coming in third place was Denis of Cork (27-1), ridden by Calvin Borel, who won the Derby last year with Street Sense.

Big Brown was the 52nd favorite to win in the 134-year history of the Kentucky Derby, and finished in 2:01.82. He was also the first horse to win from post position 20 since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.

Larry Bramlage, D.V.M, who was on-call from the American Association of Equine Practioners, said that the filly broke both front ankles as she galloped out nearing the backstretch. She then fell and threw jockey Gabriel Saez, attempted to regain her composure, and then partially collapsed again as she was attended to by emergency personnel and outriders.

"Unfortunately she had to be immediately euthanized, there was no possible way to save her. That's an injury that is just too painful. It's a bad injury to both front legs," said Bramlage.

Eight Belles was the first filly to start in the Derby since 1999.

Presque Isle Downs & Casino is probably giving some executives at Thistledown fits. The new casino in Erie is opening up its long awaited racetrack on Saturday. Thoroughbred racing joins slot machines and the new virtual blackjack games at Presque Isle Downs & Casino. Erie is a little less than a 2 hour drive from Cleveland's Thoroughbred racetrack. Presque Isle Downs & Casino also offers simulcast wagering.

The 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby may be the last of its kind. How so? More and more racetracks around the country are going to a synthetic track. This years Breeders Cup, held at Santa Anita Racetrack, will be the first on the new surface. And, no, this isn't like artificial turf were it is harmful to horses ligaments. Some actually say that the synthetic track is better for the Thoroughbred runners.

“There were absolutely no concerns in taking the Breeders’ Cup to an artificial surface,” Greg Avioli, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup said in a recent interview.

If you tune into the Kentucky Derby Saturday don't be surprised to see some royalty. The Sport of Kings will host England's Queen Elizabeth II.

"It says something about the Derby that it has universal appeal from the royals to us regular folks," Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson said. "Louisville shines on Derby Day."

The Queen is said to be a big fan of the Sport. She must of heard good things about the event as Princess Margaret, sister of the queen, attended the 1974 Derby with her husband, Lord Snowdon.

All Horse Racing (http://www.allhorseracing.com), an international gaming company, today announced the start of the annual Triple Crown Challenge with a free bet on the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

To celebrate the Running of the Roses and the Triple Crown, All Horse Racing is offering risk free bets on the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

While the status of several North American ADWs and their ability to offer their customers the Derby Experience this year is up in the air -- notably the TVG Network (NASDAQ:GMST) and judging from recent developments, possibly Youbet.com (NASDAQ:UBET) -- All Horse Racing looks forward to providing service to the many new members who wish to take part in "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports."

In the words of the American author John Steinbeck, "This Kentucky Derby, whatever it is -- a race, an emotion, a turbulence, an explosion -- is one of the most beautiful and violent and satisfying things I have ever experienced."

"The Derby is captivating -- there is nothing else like it. There are richer purses and more demanding tracks, but this is 'the race.' We invite everybody to come join us and take part in the Derby experience -- have a free punt and enjoy the races," explained Leonard Manley, Director of Marketing at All Horse Racing.

What will be the winning time of the 2007 Kentucky Derby?

The 72nd Running of The Ohio Derby was run at Thistledown. Debuty Glitters, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby but who fared poorly in his two triple crown races, was the winner in an exciting finish by a head over the place horse High Cotton. Flashy Bull finished 3rd.

Deputy Glitters 10.20 5.20 3.20
High Cotton 3.00 2.40
Flashy Bull 3.20

Exacta 5-6 pays 28.40
Tri 5-6-2 87.20
Superfecta 5-6-2-4 106.10

It’s The $350,000 (G2) Ohio Derby This Saturday!
The 72nd running of the $350,000 (G2) Ohio Derby is Saturday! Doors open at 11:30 a.m., first post is 1:05 p.m. and post time for the Ohio Derby race is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. Derby Day also features three additional stakes events: the $50,000 Isi Newborn Memorial, the $50,000 Scarlet Carnation and the $50,000 George Lewis Memorial.

Ohio Derby News:
Joseph Lacombe, owner of Deputy Glitters, is no stranger to Ohio. He spends his time in Cincinnati, Ohio as well as Palm Beach, Florida. Lacombe has been to Thistledown numerous times and ran Medievil Hero in the 1999 Ohio Derby (he finished 8th). Lacombe says he is looking forward to returning for this Saturday’s richest race in Ohio. “We wouldn’t enter him if we thought he couldn’t win,” says Lacombe. “He’s a versatile horse.” Lacombe also owned Favorite Trick, 1997 Horse of the Year.

Sacred Light arrived at Thistledown Thursday night around 7:45 p.m. from Belmont Park with assistant trainer Brent Fabbri. Sacred Light finished third in the Grade 3 Sham, second in the Grade 2 Santa Catalina and fourth in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park; he also ran in the Belmont Stakes.

Buddy can you spare a dime? I can spare a dime if you can turn it into $21,000 like the Detroit Horse Player did hitting the Superfecta on at Hollywood Park track in Inglewood, California. Don't forget tommorow is Ohio Derby day atThistledown. The first 5,000 in attendence recieve a free T Shirt and admission is free. See you there!