Greed to blame for race horse's death
Wednesday May 7, 2008
Eight Belles, the lone filly in the Kentucky Derby, was euthanized shortly after crossing the finish line. She fell heavily after both ankles shattered. People in the Thoroughbred industry will say simply that it is sad, but such tragedies are to be expected.
They are indeed to be expected. Here's why: the Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, are for 3-year-olds, still juveniles in horse parlance. They won't be stallions and mares for two more years. Their bones have been x-rayed and duly declared fit for the rigors of the race track. Yet, it should be obvious that too many of them are not ready for the ordeal that is Kentucky Derby. Few casual observers understand the strenuous training that horses must undergo to prepare for these races, especially the Belmont, which is run at a mile and a half. An old man of Thoroughbred knowledge said that a colt (much less a filly, one would suppose) is not ready to run that far on the first Saturday of May. He postulated that the Derby should be for 4-year-olds.
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