Published: May 05, 2008 05:34 pm            

Talent — and gumption Let’s honor the valiant spirit of Eight Belles

No doubt, she was a beauty. Her dark coat glistened in the sunshine as she pranced an equestrian dance in front of the spectators at Churchill Downs. The power within 3-year-old Eight Belles was evident beneath the sleek build of her well-formed body. But, for many of those watching, they couldn’t help but sense she was every inch the lady.

A lady who was going to do what most wouldn’t dare. She was going to take on the boys in one of the most popular, most prestigious of horse races — the Kentucky Derby.

Sure, Big Brown was the favorite — and with good reason. The colt cut an awe-inspiring sight with his mammoth size and overpowering presence on the track. His bearing harkened back to stories of ancient days and magnificent horses fit for the Greek and Norse gods.

Yet despite Big Brown’s demeanor and great odds of winning, many fans, viewers and lay people couldn’t help but root for Eight Belles.

Win or lose, this filly had talent and gumption.

The race was picture-perfect for spectators. In no great surprise, Big Brown took a commanding lead and easily defeated the field of challengers. But a sight just as welcome to many was Eight Belles in the No. 2 spot — effortlessly outdistancing the field of colts behind her.

The jubilation was immediate. As was the tragedy. Soon after crossing the finish line Eight Belles went down. During the on-air broadcast announcers and analysts speculated about the possibility of a heart attack or aneurysm. What else could bring a horse with such incredible athletic ability down so quickly?

The truth was even more devastating. After crossing the finish line, Eight Belles broke both of her front ankles. Euthanasia was quick.

Because she had no front legs to stand on and be splinted, there was no way to take her off the track. Eight Belles was in pain, and the humane option was to put her down. While no one is questioning the euthanasia, there are a flurry of queries as to what caused the fractures.

“It’s something that I wouldn’t even have considered,” Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian at Churchill Downs, was quoted in USA Today. “I haven’t seen this before.”

Although Bramlage and Eight Belles’ trainer Larry Jones have said they do not think running on the dirt surface at Churchill Downs contributed to the cause of the injury, others are asking questions — not just about the track but about the sport in general.

In the wake of the tragedy, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) called for the suspension and investigation of the filly’s jockey, Gabriel Saez, and started an online petitions to change the rules of racing. The group also issued four demands:

1) No racing or training for a thoroughbred until it turns 3 years old.

2) No more racing on dirt tracks. (PETA says new synthetic surfaces now being used are much safer for the horses.)

3) Cap the number of times a horse races each year.

4) Ban whipping, which PETA believes forces horses beyond their physical limits.

While PETA brings up valid issues to be investigated, we believe it is entirely too soon to be pointing fingers and casting blame.

For now, let us quietly mourn the loss of a valiant filly who ran her heart out, only to meet a tragic end.

She ran “with the big dogs,” and she did it well. Let us take a moment to honor her spirit and triumph before the viciousness of the blame game begins.

        

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