Dutrow's Big Win Overshadowed By Tragedy
by John Fennelly / Senior Writer / Special to Bleacher Report
When Big Brown made his move at the top of the stretch in yesterday's Kentucky Derby, the die was cast for the rest of the field.
The undefeated grandson of the legendary Danzig shifted gears and dusted the competition, giving jockey Kent Desormeaux his third Derby win and veteran New York trainer Rick Dutrow his first.
When the big bay stallion charged past the finish line and Millionaire's Row with filly Eight Belles five lengths behind his flailing tail, it was the moment the massive crowd would always remember.
What happened next, unfortunately, will be the moment they will never forget.
Eight Belles galloped behind Big Brown for another quarter of a mile before both her ankles inexplicably broke, bringing her and jockey Gabriel Saez to the ground.
Saez would rise to his feet, but the granddaughter of Unbridled would not.
The brave filly's injuries were fatal: Barbaro times two. Her shaken trainer, Larry Jones, told reporters that Eight Belles could not stand. The veterinarians' only choice was to put her down humanely.
The race left me with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. I was glad to see Rick Dutrow, who had labored many harsh winters at Aqueduct, finally drink from the big cup. After years of heartbreaking setbacks and personal issues and tragedies, Dutrow would finally get the break of a lifetime.
Conversely, I was saddened at the site of Jones, still outwardly optimistic and hopeful. He was still singing the praises of his game, fallen filly.
No matter what Jones said, everyone knew his heart was broken.
Comments (7) Add a comment »
from 11 days ago
RIP Eight Belles you big, beautiful girl.... this just broke my heart...a filly with such heart flying off before her time. :(
from 11 days ago
You were a beautiful girl who was taken from us too soon! I will always remember you Eight Belles, my heart is broken
from 11 days ago
When is someone going to stop these trainers and owners from starting these big beautiful to early in their lives. They start them as yearlings...THEY ARE STILL BABIES! Their bones are not ready for the intensity of the training. Europe doesn't start them so young...why does the US? Someone has to change the rules!!
from 11 days ago
this year derby will be remembered for alone time but in a sad way. i wish that it wouldn't have happened that way but we cannot forsee what lay's in front of us. she was such a beautiful horse. janice
from 11 days ago
Connie I could not agree with you more, It is geting as bad as the circuses. They need to start putting the animals needs beofre personal gain I think the owner and the trainers should have to go through such rigorous training and see how they feel.
from 11 days ago
What is the matter with you stupid trainers and SELF-CENTERED, STUPID owners??? How many broken legs is it going to take to make you see that these beautiful horses are too young to run at the track until their bones have had time to COMPLETELY grow??? Where is PETA when you need them??? Everyone, WRITE YOUR CONGRESS MEN AND WOMEN AND ASK THEM to PUT INTO PLACE STRICT LAWS TO PROTECT THESE YOUNG HORSES, SO THAT BARBARO'S AND EIGHT BELLES LIVES ARE THE LAST ONES TO BE LOST IN THIS HORRIBLE MANNER!!!!!!!!!!
Sharon
from 11 days ago
As an afterthought: EVER since the Triple Crown win by Secretariat, I had been hooked on the annual Run for the Roses, but now...since Barbaro and Eight Belles I know that I, for one, will NEVER watch the Kentucky Derby again, as long as I live.
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