The Kentucky Derby 2008

[susie]

Big Brown won from the outside in impressive fashion -- what a big, gorgeous horse. I love the white crescent moon mark on his forehead. He was still so fresh after the race that he threw his jockey! (...who thankfully landed on his feet.)

My favorite, the filly Eight Belles, fought valliantly and finished second. She collapsed just after crossing the finish line. One of the track veterinarians reported that she broke both front ankles. The situation was hopeless, and they euthanized her immediately.

This is how she got her name: "The only filly in the field got her name from the summer home Eight Bells in Maine, where painter Andrew Wyeth lived. His family based it on the painting "Eight Bells" by Winslow Homer."

...and a little more: "On board ship eight bells signified the end of one watch and the beginning of another. Watches were four hours long. Time was kept with a half-hour glass. When the glass was turned, the bell was rung. At eight bells the watch changed."

[wildfire]

I know...that is super sad about Eight Belles! I feel bad for the people who owned and trained and rode her. LOL I think Big Brown was going "that's right, I won this thing!" and threw that little jockey! Glad he was okay though. I love these races!!! Glad you watched too Susie!

[tabatha]

That breaks my heart about Eight Belles. I can't watch, and that is exactly why. I hate seeing such a graceful animal go down. I love horses...and it's painful to watch one have to be put down.
I had a feeling Big Brown would win. Gorgeous horse he is.

[susie]

Here are some photos of the horses:

Big Brown, training:



Eight Belles, enjoying a bath:

[Lori]

I'm absolutely heartbroken... This feels like Ruffian and Barbaro all over again. The weird thing was that she broke down in the cooldown and not in the race.

I really wish all the tracks would go to the new synthetic surface. I mentioned in the 'Horses' thread that when Del Mar switched to synthetic, they had ZERO horses break down in the first week as opposed to 7 the year before. I believe that all the California racetracks have gone synthetic.

I watched a pre-race special on ESPN this morning, and they had Eight Belles' trainer explaining and demonstrating her race-day prep. It was plain to see he had a lot of affection for her, talking to her during the entire workout and calling her 'sweetheart'.

I really want to see a Triple Crown winner, so I was pulling for Big Brown until they said he has chronic foot problems (frequent hoof cracks, etc), which is why he was so lightly raced coming into the Derby. I'm still happy he won, 'cause I think he's the most talented and capable horse to win all three, but now I'm crossing my fingers that his feet are going to be able to handle the grueling schedule. It would be a shame if he has to withdraw from the Preakness because of sore feet, but it would be preferable to another tragic breakdown...

[susie]

May 3, 2008 18:11:17 GMT -5 Lori said:

I'm absolutely heartbroken... This feels like Ruffian and Barbaro all over again. The weird thing was that she broke down in the cooldown and not in the race.

I really wish all the tracks would go to the new synthetic surface. I mentioned in the 'Horses' thread that when Del Mar switched to synthetic, they had ZERO horses break down in the first week as opposed to 7 the year before. I believe that all the California racetracks have gone synthetic.

I watched a pre-race special on ESPN this morning, and they had Eight Belles' trainer explaining and demonstrating her race-day prep. It was plain to see he had a lot of affection for her, talking to her during the entire workout and calling her 'sweetheart'.

I really want to see a Triple Crown winner, so I was pulling for Big Brown until they said he has chronic foot problems (frequent hoof cracks, etc), which is why he was so lightly raced coming into the Derby. I'm still happy he won, 'cause I think he's the most talented and capable horse to win all three, but now I'm crossing my fingers that his feet are going to be able to handle the grueling schedule. It would be a shame if he has to withdraw from the Preakness because of sore feet, but it would be preferable to another tragic breakdown...

I was thinking about Barbaro this afternoon. Feelings among Marylanders are still rather raw in that regard, since his breakdown happened at the Preakness. I was so thrilled when Eight Belles came in second, and I could not believe it when I saw her lying down on the track. If this doesn't impel all of the major tracks to go to synthetic turf, nothing will.

I agree that Big Brown looks like a Triple-Crown threat. He's so strong. Well, just two more good races and he can retire.

[rach2crazy]

I saw the race, and I am still upset about what happened to Eight Belles. She was such a beautiful horse.

[Bella]

Here's a little news article about it:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/othersports/2004390792_webeightbelles03.html

a girl after my own heart

[daisymomma]

Ken and I were just discussing this a little while ago.Our oldest is a major animal lover and I am glad I didn't tune in and watch the Kentucky Derby yesterday when I saw it was on tv.She would have been one heartbroken little girl.

[number1fan]

i sure hope the beautiful and courageous filly did not suffer .