Ugh the fillie is down...

[smitch124]

hate to see that.

[weazel079]

Euthanized. Broke both ankles. Makes me sick.

[smitch124]

She ran such a great race too, gave all she had. Her connections must be heartbroken.

[T.O.P.]

I hate this sport.

[Gobbler's Knob]

Compound fracture in both front legs, I feel so sick for her owners right now

[Chris46139]

Its so tough to see something like that, especially for such a good horse. Obviously, they ,ade the right decision by running her in the Derby instead of the Oaks, she had what it takes, just hope the owners don't second guess that decision too much. Truly the ugly side of this sport

[smitch124]

Sure is. Aren't the Poly tracks supposed to cut down on injuries? Is there any word on how they're doing so far?

[Chris46139]

Originally Posted by smitch124

Sure is. Aren't the Poly tracks supposed to cut down on injuries? Is there any word on how they're doing so far?

Churchill not a poly track though

[smitch124]

I know was thinking in terms of the future...

[Chris46139]

Originally Posted by smitch124

I know was thinking in terms of the future...

This is a cut and paste paraphrase of an article I just found, talking about how they were debating on running Hard Spun in the Derby last year:

Polytrack was designed to cut down on bone-snapping injuries. In 2005-06, Turfway's first Polytrack season, there were three fatal breakdowns, compared with 24 the year before. But as Hard Spun shows, it has also created a parallel racing universe that will change the way races are run, alter the breeding industry, and make reams of old handicapping information useless.

[smitch124]

Originally Posted by Chris46139

Polytrack was designed to cut down on bone-snapping injuries. In 2005-06, Turfway's first Polytrack season, there were three fatal breakdowns, compared with 24 the year before. But as Hard Spun shows, it has also created a parallel racing universe that will change the way races are run, alter the breeding industry, and make reams of old handicapping information useless.

Thats a huge reduction in fatal injuries, alot of tracks have already switched. Seems the horse is out of the barn now (sorry).

[Wabash Wonders]

Originally Posted by T.O.P.

I hate this sport.

Then go to another forum. Its a very tragic thing that happened to Eight Belles, but no reason to hate the sport because of it. Does this mean you hate all sports because tragic things do happen in all sports. Do you hate Nascar also because Dale Earnhardt was killed tragically in an accident years ago? It happens, but no reason to hate a sport because of it....

[bambino66]

What a downer to what should have been a great moment....Big Red ran a great race and Eight Belles ran her heart out and showed the heart of a true champion...That was going to make for a great post race story until the tragic turn....

I have been following this game for a long time and you never ever get used to seeing these amazing horses go down....Just goes to show how fast things can change not only in horse racing but in life in general...One day your on top of the mountain with an Oaks win, then you finish 2nd to a potential triple crown winner and moments later it comes crashing down....

[WildKat]

I had just heard today that about 700 horses a year are put down either because of injury to the leg or because of heart ailments. I love the sport, but it KILLS me when I see one go down.

[Rhino8266]

Have to agree with Wabash my friend. This incident is extremely tragic, but unfortunately it's just a part of horseracing. My heart goes out to the connections of this wonderful filly. She truly was amazing and sacrificed her life in an amazing effort.