Filly Eight Belles: Exploitation Exploded Ankles

Three-year old filly Eight Belles with her bursting determination tried to catch the exceptional colt Big Brown in yesterday's 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. She didn't. She finished second. Probably both of her front ankles were already broken when she crossed the finish line. Within minutes she was euthanized on the track. Her spirit and determination were greater than her ankles could carry.

Her most sad end is reminiscent of the 1975 match race between the filly Ruffian and then Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. Ruffian tried to catch the colt also, but shattered one of her ankles in the pursuit. She ran for 40 yards after her ankle was broken before the jockey could rein her in! Ruffian was also euthanized. The two fillies' spirit and determination were the margins that made them champions. Those qualities simply known as heart can overcome anatomical disadvantages.I'm sure the trainers of both fillies knew that they could "go to the bank" in the exploitation of the horses heart quotient.

I have been an equestrian for 37 years. I stopped watching horse racing shortly after buying my first horse. When you know horses intimaely you learn that racing is cruelty.