Jockey Club panel to look at Thoroughbreds

LEXINGTON, Ky., May 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Jockey Club announced a review Thursday of thoroughbred breeding, medication and racing practices following the death of Eight Belles.

The filly broke two legs immediately after coming in second in the Kentucky Derby and had to be euthanized.

Ogden Mills Phipps, the Jockey Club chairman, said that the Thoroughbred Safety Committee's goal is to make recommendations to the industry on improving health and safety, the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal reported.

"We will reach out to involve others in the industry and we will do everything in our power to encourage changes that will benefit the breed in any way," Phipps said in a statement. "We will do this in a timely

manner."

Critics have suggested that inbreeding and breeding for speedy horses with light bones have made thoroughbreds too fragile. Eight Belles was also the only filly in the Derby field, and critics suggested that her owner and trainer should not have entered her in that race.