Hard to support horse racing

I look forward to watching the Kentucky Derby every year, but was very upset when Eight Belles, who came in second in the race, collapsed and had to be etherized. My heart sunk and memories of Barbaro came to mind. It was so sad.

Wonder what is going on and why these beautiful horses seem to have so many fractures? Remember Barbaro? And, if memory serves me correct I believe there was another horse with a fractured leg in a race last year.

I think this needs to be looked into. Maybe they are working the horses too hard before a race. Or, maybe they are running too many races too close together. At any rate, it is cause to be concerned.

On the other hand, if Eight Belles was second place in the Derby, then I must question the jockey who rode her. Do you mean to tell me that he didn't know the horse he was riding was running on broken ankles?? There is no way that her ankles just broke immediately after the race. It had to happen during it.

I find it appalling that the jockey didn't pull her out of the race. Imagine this poor horse in pain running with broken ankles. A full investigation needs to be conducted and the jockey should be questioned about this.

If you remember, Barbaro's jockey knew instantly that he had a broken leg and he immediately took him out of the race. He used good judgement, common sense, but more importantly had compassion and genuine care for the horses health. He did the right thing. However, I do not feel in my heart that Eight Belles jockey exhibited the same judgement or compassion. It certainly appears that he cared more about winning the race, rather than the horse he was riding.

I wonder how many people out there feel the same way?

Forget economically viable, I would call euthanizing the poor animal much more humane than giving it the Darth Vader treatment.  It's much more in a horse's nature to be running in a race than it is to keep an animal that is programmed to walk and run around rendered immobile for months for the chance that it may recover. 

Listen , If your going to pretend to know so much about the industry you should get your facts straight, First of all they did tell us she broke both front ankles. The on track Vet has about 30 seconds of a broadcast on national TV and he is certainly not going to go into a dissertation about why they euthanize these horses. As far as your  $$$ comment if they could have saved this horse they would have because a filly who just came in second in the Kentucky Derby is worth way more alive and breeding than the cost to save her life, Get your facts straight before you spout off again !!!!

UM! Animals were put on this planet with less intelligence and inability for logical thought.  Therefore, as their masters, we have both the right and the ability to use them for whatever purpose we see fit.  If it is racing, go for it.  If it were pulling a plow to plant a field back in the day and the horse broke a leg in a rabbit hole, guess what?  They shot them in the head as a mercy killing.  You dont have to like it and you are in a free country so spout your liberal b.s. if you please, but dont insult my intellect by intimating that animals are on our level and should be treated as anything less (or more) than they are:  subservient to man...their master.  Great race, btw, and exciting as any I have ever seen.  I enjoyed every minute of it, and hated to see 8 belles down at the end.  What heart from a filly.  Mesmerizing and entertaining to the end...just like I like a race.  And despite what many will post in response to this, I do not advocate cruelty to animals, just not placing them on our level or taking them for anything less than they are...my, yours, our slaves.

Wow! Just, Wow!  After reading that post I don't believe you possess any of the