The trainer of euthanized filly Eight Belles adamantly defended the way jockey Gabriel Saez handled the Kentucky Derby runner-up.

In an interview with The Associated Press yesterday, Larry Jones said Saez applied the whip only to prevent Eight Belles from crashing into the rail.

"This filly in every race has tried to drift toward the rail," Jones said. "It's her comfort zone, and Gabriel knows this. This kid made every move the right move, and I hate it that they're wanting to jump down his throat. He did not try to abuse that horse to make her run faster. He knew he was second best, that she wasn't going to catch Big Brown."

Jones spoke while traveling from Churchill Downs to Delaware with his other prized filly, Kentucky Oaks winner Proud Spell. Jones is scheduled to have a news conference this morning near the paddock at Delaware Park.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for Saez to be suspended, contending he should have noticed an injury and pulled the horse up rather than applied the whip.

In a statement yesterday, Saez said Eight Belles never indicated anything was wrong.

"All I could sense under me was how eager she was to race," Saez said. "I was so proud of her performance, and of the opportunity to ride her in my first Kentucky Derby, all of which adds to my sadness."

PETA also announced plans to protest the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority today, arguing for major changes, including a ban on using the whip or racing horses younger than 3.

KHRA executive director Lisa Underwood said yesterday that racing stewards found no evidence of wrongdoing by Saez.

Eight Belles broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter-mile past the finish line and was euthanized on the track. Alex Waldrop, president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said there will be an autopsy to determine the cause of the injury.

AUTO RACING

WALTRIP BACK ON TRACK AFTER RAMMING DRIVER

Michael Waltrip was allowed back on the track yesterday in Concord, N.C., two days after getting his first taste of NASCAR's harshest penalty.

After Casey Mears knocked Waltrip's car into the wall late in Saturday's race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway, Waltrip retaliated by ramming into the back of Mears' car and pushing it several hundred yards.

NASCAR parked Waltrip for the final 58 laps, a penalty that cost him as much as 60 Sprint Cup points.

"I've never gotten parked before," Waltrip said yesterday during a break in testing at Lowe's Motor Speedway. "I read in the paper where people got parked, but I didn't know how you did that. Now I do."

Mears said he had a breakdown in communication with his spotter.

"I don't know if we just had a radio problem or what happened there, but we were kind of running by ourselves there for quite a while," Mears said. "I think the 55 came out on new tires and was running us down and I just wasn't aware of it, and I came off of (turn) 4 and hit him. I had no idea he was there."

He certainly knew Waltrip was there when Waltrip slammed into the back of his car after they both came off the wall.

NASCAR said Waltrip won't face any further penalties.