Shock at Kentucky Derby: Horse euthanized on the track

[JTD]

http://www.drudgereport.com

So sad

The cheers for the winner's decisive victory were cut short when Eight Belles, the runner-up, was euthanized on the track minutes after the race when she collapsed with two broken front ankles.

[Stephanie]

That was so sad. RIP Eight Belles. I can only imagine how devastating it is to the trainer and the owners.

I was rooting for her and Visionaire - Michael Matz's horse. He was the trainer of Barbaro.

Big Brown is one heck of a horse!!!

[AnnularCane]

I was rooting for her too. Her and Big Brown. It would have been a heck of a race.

She was a beautiful horse.

[HURAKAN]

Really tragic news.

A small clip showing when the horse falls.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1HClCiD5UDM

[RL3AO]

Very very sad about the filly.

Big Brown has a pretty decent shot at the triple crown considering the field of three-year olds is not that good. I'd say 1 in 5 chance he gets the triple.

[CajunMama]

I hate to see something like this happen. Poor horse On another note Kent Desormeaux the jockey for Big Brown is from Lafayette. This is his 3rd KD win.

[Stephanie]

I knew that he was from Louisiana. Kent Desormeaux is a great jockey. I saw the piece on his family and his youngest son that is deaf and is now losing his sight.

I just wonder in light of this most recent tragedy if it would be a good idea for the trainers and owners to x-ray the horse's legs before a big race to make sure there are no microfractures that could cause a catastrophic injury. It just seems to me that there really shouldn't be any reason for a horse to breakdown like that unless they land funny on their leg or there is already a problem. I think that it would be in the horse's best interest as well as the owner's.

[Ed Mahmoud]

PETA tries to make hay over Derby tragedy.

[Regit]

PETA tries to make hay over Derby tragedy.

Eh, I never support anything from PETA even when I agree with it because of how much damage they do to their cause.

There's no need for them to accuse the jockey of anything without knowing facts. If it is found that he knew the horse was in pain and refused to pull her up, he'll never work again. Their involvement is useless.

[Cryomaniac]

PETA tries to make hay over Derby tragedy.

Eh, I never support anything from PETA even when I agree with it because of how much damage they do to their cause.

There's no need for them to accuse the jockey of anything without knowing facts. If it is found that he knew the horse was in pain and refused to pull her up, he'll never work again. Their involvement is useless.

Exactly, it doesn't matter what they say. PETA have a good idea, in principle (I can't say that I agree with a lot of what they say though), but as you say, they hardly go about it in the right way.

[gtalum]

I for one don't understand why people get so worked up over horses as opposed to cattle. A horse is just like a really fast cow. Similarly, I don't understand why horsemeat is taboo in the US. It's pretty tasty.

[senorpepr]

Similarly, I don't understand why horsemeat is taboo in the US. It's pretty tasty.

Here, here! I fully concur. I miss enjoying a nice horse burger before a soccer match in Europe.

[gtalum]

Here, here! I fully concur. I miss enjoying a nice horse burger before a soccer match in Europe.

When I was a kid, we used to have it when we'd visit my grandparents who were immigrants from Europe. I always liked it. Now you just can't get horse meat in the US.

[Regit]

I for one don't understand why people get so worked up over horses as opposed to cattle. A horse is just like a really fast cow. Similarly, I don't understand why horsemeat is taboo in the US. It's pretty tasty.

People prefer cuter animals. In one of his standup routines, Drew Carey has a good bit about how dolphin safe tuna sucks if you're a tuna.