Another derby tragedy

Yesterday's Kentucky Derby ended in tragedy this year when the second place filly, Eight Belles finished the race and then broke both her front legs and had to be put down on the track. This isn't the first tragedy to strike a Triple Crown race recently. The nation was transfixed by the attempts to rehabilitate Triple Crown challenger Barbaro in 2006 after he severely broke a leg in the Preakness. Despite valiant efforts to preserve his life, he was put down in early 2007 due to continued infection. In 1993, horses were put down at both the Belmont (Prairie Bayou) and the Preakness (Union City). In 15 years, four horses destroyed after running in horse racing's most glamorous sweepstakes.

But such tragedies are hardly reserved for the Triple Crown - the week before the derby, a colt collapsed on the track at Churchill Downs - the same track Eight Belles ran on Saturday - and its chances of survival are as yet unknown. And these are just the horses that were irreparably injured that I was able to locate after a brief internet search. I have no idea how many more there might be at tracks across the United States during the season. In any sport involving humans, such consistent injuries would result in a call for increased safety precautions to prevent - or at least reduce - these injuries. Unfortunately, horse racing has made no such move.

As a Kentuckian, I am proud of my state and the beautiful thoroughbreds that are raised in her rolling hills. But I am appalled that the state that raises such creatures has done so little to protect them. Perhaps it's time to rethink how the Triple Crown is run and to make stricter rules regarding the owners, trainers and jockeys that participate to ensure these tragedies are mitigated. I'm tired to watching an amazing race run by phenomenal athletes end with one of those athletes dead on the track.

UPDATE: In all fairness, I should point out that the title of this posting could be considered misleading. The last time a horse had to be put down at the derby itself was in the 1930's. Barbaro was, as mentioned above, put down following an injury at the Preakness. Thanks, Angie.