Big Brown won the 134th Kentucky Derby over the weekend, but overshadowing the win was the collapse and euthanization of second-place finisher Eight Belles. The horse’s death has many calling for research, reform and investigations.

Sports Illustrated reports: “PETA faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky’s racing authority claiming the filly was ‘doubtlessly injured before the finish’ and asked that Saez be suspended while Eight Belles’ death is investigated. ‘What we really want to know, did he feel anything along the way?’ PETA spokeswoman Kathy Guillermo said. ‘If he didn’t then we can probably blame the fact that they’re allowed to whip the horses mercilessly.’ Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones said the filly was clearly happy when she crossed the finish line. ‘I don’t know how in the heck they can even come close to saying that,’ Jones told The Associated Press on Sunday. ‘She has her ears up, clearly galloping out.'”

AFTER THE JUMP, Eight Belles’ troubling final moments…

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