Your Sports news brief stated in the May 7 edition, "Owner Rick Porter said the preliminary necropsy result showed the death came as a result of the fracture of the filly's two front cannon bones."

What a false statement. Her death was the result of track personnel administering a lethal drug dose.

Frank Holmes

Raleigh

Horse racing is animal abuse

As Eight Belles lay dying on the track at Churchill Downs, the wealthy elite sipped their mint juleps and counted their winnings.

This majestic filly was forced to run herself to death to entertain the mass of self-indulgent partygoers. She had no business on the track that day and deserved much more than being forced to run as fast and hard as she could to entertain the greed-infested animal abusers at Churchill Downs.

She gave everything, even her life.

Horse racing is animal abuse for cash and entertainment, and I am disgusted at the horrible spectacle of Eight Belles as she lay dying.

That is the last horse race I will ever watch.

M.D. Rowe

Morrisville

Legislation needed for thoroughbreds

I am wondering how many thoroughbreds have to break down, then be put down, before there is some outcry to provide more regulation in horse racing.

The glamorous and sexy presentation of this sport is obvious, but now as we see more and more of these beautiful animals being run until they literally break. How can we deny the knowledge that what we are seeing is really abuse?

The extreme exertion of racing causes capillary breakage in their lungs, leading to bleeding. Lasix is administered so they can continue to run. Phenylbutazone, a pain medication, is given so that they run through their pain.

I understand the superficial allure of horse racing, but its dark side, despite being played down by the media, is painfully there to witness.

It will take more than merely refusing to participate -- legislation must be forthcoming to protect the thoroughbreds. Please write to your representatives.

Deborah Hieronim

Raleigh

Hansbrough can do more than 'flop'

The letter that appeared in the May 4 edition stating that Tyler Hansbrough's only defensive skill is "flopping" is so inaccurate that it paints [the author] as someone who knows little about college basketball.

Tyler averaged over six defensive rebounds and over 1.5 steals per game. Tyler averaged more defensive rebounds per game than Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) and more steals per game than Michael Beasley (Kansas State), Kevin Love (UCLA) and Hibbert.

Besides the notable statistics, Tyler's "flops" resulted in one or two turnovers per game that provided UNC with more offensive opportunities.

In the past, when Shane Battier of Duke "flopped," he was known as a great defensive player. [The author] should keep his unfounded opinions to himself, lest he remove all doubt about his basketball acumen.

Rocco Ferraro

Raleigh

Kobe, LeBron tough for anyone to guard

One of your readers wrote about Tyler Hansbrough's potential inability to guard Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

Hansbrough is a unanimous All-ACC three years in a row, first-team All-America three years in a row and the ACC and national player of the year in 2008.

Add to that he will stay in school and graduate on time.

He plays with a passion that is not seen in many athletes today, and all this particular reader can say about Tyler is that he won't be able to guard the two best basketball players in the world.

Who can?

Wes Burt

Raleigh