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**Silver Fox 6291** · 05-03-2008

Favorite Wins Kentucky Derby in Tragedy
Eight Belles Euthanized on Track After Second-Place Finish
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT,AP
Posted: 2008-05-03 19:29:30
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 3) - Big Brown backed up his trainer's boasts with an explosive finishing kick and won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a commanding victory turned somber by the fatal breakdown of the filly Eight Belles on horse racing's biggest day.

The cheers for the winner's 4 3/4-length victory were cut short when Eight Belles, the runner-up, collapsed while galloping out near the second turn. She broke her two front ankles and was euthanized on the track minutes later.

"When we passed the wire I stood up. She started galloping funny. I tried to pull her up. That's when she went down," said her distraught jockey, Gabriel Saez.

Eight Belles was attempting to become the fourth filly to win the Derby.

The unbeaten Big Brown's start from the outside post did little to hamper his charge when the 20-horse field turned for home at Churchill Downs. Under the urging of jockey Kent Desormeaux, the 2-1 favorite cruised to an easy victory to become the seventh unbeaten Derby winner with his fourth consecutive win. The last one was Barbaro in 2006.

The breakdown brought back memories of the 2006 Preakness, where Barbaro shattered his right rear leg just after the start. The colt was euthanized months later, after developing laminitis from the catastrophic injuries.

**Swattie's Wife** · 05-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Fox 6291

Favorite Wins Kentucky Derby in Tragedy
Eight Belles Euthanized on Track After Second-Place Finish
By RICHARD ROSENBLATT,AP
Posted: 2008-05-03 19:29:30
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 3) - Big Brown backed up his trainer's boasts with an explosive finishing kick and won the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, a commanding victory turned somber by the fatal breakdown of the filly Eight Belles on horse racing's biggest day.

The cheers for the winner's 4 3/4-length victory were cut short when Eight Belles, the runner-up, collapsed while galloping out near the second turn. She broke her two front ankles and was euthanized on the track minutes later.

"When we passed the wire I stood up. She started galloping funny. I tried to pull her up. That's when she went down," said her distraught jockey, Gabriel Saez.

Eight Belles was attempting to become the fourth filly to win the Derby.

The unbeaten Big Brown's start from the outside post did little to hamper his charge when the 20-horse field turned for home at Churchill Downs. Under the urging of jockey Kent Desormeaux, the 2-1 favorite cruised to an easy victory to become the seventh unbeaten Derby winner with his fourth consecutive win. The last one was Barbaro in 2006.

The breakdown brought back memories of the 2006 Preakness, where Barbaro shattered his right rear leg just after the start. The colt was euthanized months later, after developing laminitis from the catastrophic injuries.

Anytime a beautiful majestic animal like this has to be euthanized is very sad day. I understand that sometimes one has to do this but I wish their was a way that they could be saved. I love all horses, my favorite will always Arabians (used to ride my aunts Arabians when I was a teenager).

**SaraJ** · 05-05-2008

I feel so very sorry for everyone involved. Her trainer must be devistated. I know trainers and their charges are so close. The owner must feel awful, not to mention the jockey. And it mars the excitement and joy of the winning horse and all the people involved with him. It's just an awful thing to have happened.


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