(photo copyright 2008, The Courier-Journal/Bill Luster)
Eight Belles just before yesterday's Run for the Roses
I love the Derby, but I really only tolerate horse racing.
My profession means that the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports is a huge, huge part of my life every year, so in a way the race is in my blood, but I still fear during every race I watch that something will happen to one of these magnificent animals. In the relatively few times I've been to the racetrack over the years (not working, but pleasure trips) I've seen two horses get injured and have to be put down. I'm not one of those who doesn't understand that human life is far more important than animal life, but it still really bothers me when something happens to the horses.
Yesterday when I was at work preparing to watch the race with my co-workers, I said a little prayer that no horses or jockeys would be injured. Right after the race, I breathed a sigh of relief and gave thanks that while working and watching my 24th Derby (most of them spent at the racetrack) I had witnessed no tragic situations. A couple of minutes later, that all changed when the camera cut to show a horse down on the track. My heart sank. When I heard it was the gutsy filly, Eight Belles, I just felt sick.
They put her down so fast. But they had to. It didn't take long to assess her injuries, and to let her suffer would be beyond cruel. I don't know if horse racing is cruel. Sometimes it feels like it is. I do know that yesterday didn't feel like the greatest two minutes in sports.
Here's to the filly. She gave everything she had.
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