Let me start off by congratulating Big Brown and his jockey for the AWESOME win of the Kentucky Derby. He is one hell of a horse and the first since 1915 to win the race having started that far out from the rail. (20th position) An excellent win. I look forward to seeing him perform in the Preakness and the Belmont.

So, onto the tragedy. Runner up, Eight Belles, came in second place. She was the first filly in almost 20 years to run in the Kentucky Derby and she was also a hell of a horse. Black with a striking silver tail and bigger than some of the stallions she was running against. She kept in the 4th-5th position most of the race (Started at position 5 in the gates) and a few seconds after Big Brown took off like a train to the lead she followed. She and Big Brown outran the rest of the group to take first and second respectively.

A few moments after passing the line (I remember seeing this while watching it live on TV and thinking that wasn't good) She started to gallop oddly. My dad who was also watching at the time and is just as familiar with horses as I am (if not moreso) also commented on it. Later the camera showed Big Brown spooking as she collapsed on the track.

Eight Belles had broken both of her front ankles (compound) shortly after passing the finish line. The vet reported soon after that she'd had to be euthanized because of the injuries.

Now: I do NOT support euthanasia of race horses (or any horse) after leg breaks or other injuries that can be recovered from. I am quite against it. But I know good and well there are some breaks that a horse just can't come back from.

Two compound ankle breaks on her front legs are such an injury. The race ended about an hour ago or so and I've already seen people flaming that it was 'horrendous' to put her down like that, that there must have been something they could have done.

Basically, you're wrong. A leg injury to a horse is MUCH more painful than it would be for us. Also, leg injuries are hard to recover from in horses. You can't MAKE an animal that weighs close to a ton stay still for the weeks/months that it takes to recover. Horse anatomy makes it hard to deal with leg breaks unfortunately.

So, I just want to put my opinion on this out there. I am APPALLED that such a talented filly had to be put down after such a great race. That is a terrible shame, and I am upset about it. I'm annoyed her owners would race her in the world's biggest race for a horse her age a day or two AFTER she just ran another tough race and won. That was VERY poor judgment, yes.

However, I think the vet and the owners were right to make the decision they did. The vet said she was in excruciating pain and I don't doubt that for a second. Anyone who saw last year's triple crown and remembers Barbaro and his ONE broken leg can understand. His owners tried EVERYTHING money could buy to help him recover but it didn't work. I doubt they could've done much for Eight Belles other than to end the pain she was in.

I am terribly sorry to see her go. She was a very talented filly and had a lot more heart than I've seen in a horse in awhile. Hopefully she'll rest in peace. She went out with a great race.