Death at The Kentucky Derby: Eight Belles Tolls for Thoroughbred Racing

Perhaps those who think of the sport as such a grand example of the animal spirit would see it differently were they to watch a Kentucky Derby and hear the announcers tell the story in a truly dispassionate manner. No coddling the audience. No insuring the network contract would remain in it's lucrative place for next year. But a simple stated, non-eloquent description. 

Eight Belles crossed the finish line second at the Derby, a rousing story for the only filly in the race. Seconds later, both her front legs shattered into millions of tiny pieces in front of those counting their winnings and others calling for the defeated to be turned into glue or some other cheap substance.  

There was not a single soul who has ever been connected in any manner with horses or racing that didn't know what would come next. Injuries such as these can never be repaired. We were told by various announcers on TV and radio that Eight Belles had to be "put down", "humanely treated for her wounds", or "euthanized".

It was certainly humane, as there are those medical professionals connected with the sport who realize the abject pain these animals are under when such an injury occurs. They race to the scene and without a second thought administer a life-ending shot that kills the horse in seconds. They are to be commended for their attempts to treat the animal with dignity in it's dying moments.

But in the end, the horse was killed. Put out of it's misery. Ending what has to be incredible pain and suffering. In days past they would do the same thing with a bullet to the brain.Now they bring out the trailer, put a tarp up around the animal so no one from the grandstand or the TV audience can see, administered the killing shot and then load the carcass onto a flatbed for disposition. Nice and tidy. No muss, no fuss, no blood. Nothing to see here.

Trainer Larry Jones and owner Rick Porter made the decision to run Eight Belles despite her being the only filly in the race and NEVER having raced against colts before. This was treated in the days and minutes leading up to the race as the lady against the big boys, with one fellow trainer even joking on national radio that he hoped his horse didn't get too amorous with her during the race.

However, Larry Jones & Rick Porter should be seen as nothing more than greedy opportunists looking to ride the back, and the legs, of his inexperienced and possibly highly over matched filly. Jones won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and being the trainer of a Derby winning horse would make him one of the few to win those 2 races on the same weekend. History for the man, oats for the animal. Instead, a tax write-off for the owner and a chance to buy yet another horse at auction to take Eight Belles place. Greed at it's worst.

There are those who will counter and point to the fact Eight Belles finished second in the Derby and could have won. But at what cost? What did that effort take out of her? We'll never know. She couldn't talk. Couldn't say no. Couldn't stop running at any point in the race because all she was ever taught to do was to please her masters. And now Eight Belles is dead for doing just that.  

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