My Heart is Broken!!!

It is Derby day! One of my favorite days of the year. My friend Jen was there to watch the race and placed a few bets for me, Thanks Jen! I had settled in to watch the race with my mom and dad, enjoying all of the pre-race coverage ( probably my favorite part ). I can't wait for the race, the first time in years that I think that a filly will actually win. My pick Eight Belles. She has been undefeated in 5 starts not bad. The race starts and she breaks well. Big Brown comes from the 20th post on the outside and takes the lead. Eight Belles charges into 2nd and keeps up with his pace (4 3/4 strides behind) until the finish. I am happy that nobody or horse was hurt and then they pan out to the track and Eight Belles is laid flat out on her side. For anyone that knows anything about horses knows that this is not good. Finally after what seems like forever the track vet tells Bob Costas that she has suffered compound fractures of both ankles and has been euthanized on the track. My heart breaks! Why does a sport that I love have to cost horses their lives? This news is so gut-wrenching in the wake of the 2 horses that died in the Rolex 3-day event. My thoughts and prayers are with the owners, trainers, and riders of all of these horses! Quinn should be happy that his mom is pretty lazy and rather undemanding! I will remind him of this when I see him next.