Sad Day At the Derby

Did anyone else feel like the death of Eight Belles has been completely underplayed? Kinda makes me sick to read only about how much Big Brown has paid out.

Sad Day At the Derby

I%26#39;ve been involved with Saddlebred horses all my life, where horses are treated very well. I%26#39;ve only recently become aware of how cruel and dangerous horse racing truly is. Two decades ago, I quit eating meat. I%26#39;m now inclined to boycott any horse racing venue as well. So sad.

Sad Day At the Derby

I agree. Her death completely took the joy out of the day. I can only imagine what her trainer, owners, etc must be feeling...

I agree. Eight Belles death is so tragic.

She deserves to be recognized and honored as the great filly she was. I for one was pulling for her, as many were. I was proud she came in second.

I, too, am sickened and heartbroken (said as a Kentuckian); only after her tragic death and seeing Barbaro%26#39;s sad story played out again in a local special screening of ';First Saturday in May'; am I educating myself as to just how cruel and barbaric this ';sport'; really is. These horses are beautiful and magnificent -- I would%26#39;ve recommended to anyone visiting this state to visit a throroughbred farm, Churchill, Keeneland, the Derby Museum, etc., but now have to say that I won%26#39;t watch another race myself unless and until restrictions are placed on age (these horses are run before their bones are fully developed), drugs (to mask pain and ';lighten'; the horse, which weakens their bones), pace (whether or not a filly should%26#39;ve been run against colts is another question), and workload (year-round racing with insufficient rest). Now I say, ';Go, PITA!';

I should add that two other horses had to be euthanized following accidents at the recent Rolex Three-day Event at Lexington%26#39;s Kentucky Horse Park, as well. Just as with cheerleading and other sports, more and more risk has to be added to make it more and more competitive, exciting, and lucrative. However, unlike other athletes, these wonderful animals have no choice in the matter.

While millions witnessed this Derby death, it happens all over the US every day. I%26#39;d say it%26#39;s time to start thinking less about the big purses and more about raising healthy, sound horses...

Eight Belles was AMAZING to come a close second to a ';powerhorse'; like Big Brown (who, incidentally, is reported to have foot problems but will be run again in two weeks anyway), beating 18 other colts. She truly had the heart of a champion; I was in tears.

To answer the original question, I agree it%26#39;s shameful that such short shrift is being given this valiant filly. Overall, a shameful day in KY.

Hi again guys. There sure has been a lot of info coming about re this incident. While PETA gets a bad name on some things, at least they open some eyes and inspire some dialogue...compare it to the ACLU a bit. The drugs and bone issues are to be taken very seriously. Also, any idiot can call himself a ';trainer';. This is a corrupt industry driven by greed. Expect to hear more dissent.