Angels

[my miss storm cat]

I wasn't sure where to put this...

From BH.

Eight Belles will be buried at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

from Churchill Downs

Eight Belles, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) but suffered a catastrophic injury moments after the race, will be honored by Churchill Downs Inc. through a series of charitable contributions and initiatives, including the interment of her remains at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

The announcement was made June 3 in conjunction with the filly’s owner, Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm, and the Kentucky Derby Museum.

“Churchill Downs and the entire Kentucky Derby family were devastated by the fatal injury to Eight Belles, and the shock of her tragic loss continues to resonate through our company and our industry as a whole,” CDI executive vice president Steve Sexton said. “Since her death, we have been exploring ways to pay tribute to her memory while supporting positive changes that will improve the health, safety, and overall welfare of all racehorses.”

The Churchill Downs Foundation and Porter will each contribute $25,000 to the Eight Belles Memorial Fund, established by Thoroughbred Charities of America, for continued research into racehorse injuries and toward the retraining of retired Thoroughbreds for second careers.

Churchill Downs also announced it is renaming the $150,000 La Troienne Stakes (gr. III) in honor of Eight Belles. The race for 3-year-old fillies will continue to be run on the Kentucky Derby day undercard in 2009. The racetrack also plans to conduct an “eight bells” ceremony on Kentucky Derby day in 2009 in the filly’s memory, with details to be announced at a later date.

“The past month has been a time of indescribable highs and crushing lows for me and my family,” Porter said. “We watched Eight Belles run the race of her life in the Kentucky Derby, and that should have been our proudest moment as well as hers. Instead, it all changed in an instant. We’re still grieving and struggling to accept her loss, but even in the midst of our sorrow, we are determined to see something positive come from her death.”

The Kentucky Derby Museum will inter Eight Belles’ remains at the base of a tree to be planted in the filly’s honor. The memorial, located within the museum’s courtyard near the gravesites of four Kentucky Derby winners, will include a bronze plaque dedicating the tree to Eight Belles’ memory.

“The amazing performance by Eight Belles in Kentucky Derby 134 won’t soon be forgotten, and we are privileged to honor her efforts and her sacrifice,” said Lynn Ashton, executive director of the Kentucky Derby Museum. In“We hope our memorial will serve as a lasting tribute to this great filly, and remind every visitor who walks through our doors of her very special courage.”

An interment date has not yet been determined.

[my miss storm cat]

Confirmed on another board...

Skipaslew and Big Bad John, both in the 5th race at Canterbury on June 1st.

Run in peace.

[my miss storm cat]

Catmosphere.

* * *

Racing Post...

Pursuit Of Love put down after fetlock injury

by Amy Bennett

PURSUIT OF LOVE, broodmare sire of Attraction and Antonius Pius, was put down on Thursday after fracturing a fetlock at Throckmorton Court Stud, his home since 2005. The son of Groom Dancer was 19.

Among his best progeny as a stallion were the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Catchascatchcan, the Dewhurst runner-up Musical Pursuit, smart sprinter Palace Affair, and the Group 3 winners Cupid's Glory, Love Everlasting, and Tartouche.

Pursuit Of Love began his stud career at Plantation Stud, owned by his owner-breeder Lord Howard de Walden, and was leading first season sire in Britain and Ireland in 1996.

In later years he began to make his mark as a broodmare sire with the dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Attraction and mercurial miler Antonius Pius among the best progeny produced by his daughters. Others of note include the Italian 1,000 Guineas winner Windhuk and the Nell Gwyn winner Silca's Gift.

Trained by Henry Cecil, Pursuit Of Love was himself a high-class performer at three. Winner of the European Free Handicap, he next finished thirdto Roderigo de Triano in the 2,000 Guineas, before dropping back in trip to just be short headed by Mr Brooks in the July Cup. Successful in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Gheest, he also landed the Group 3 Park Stakes.

Out of the Green Dancer mare Dance Quest, he was a half-brother to Divine Danse, winner of the Prix du Gros Chene, and placed in the Cheveley Park Stakes at two. Divine Danse later produced Valentino who was runner-up in the St James's Palace Stakes to Giant's Causeway.