Remembering Eight Belles as another filly enters the Kentucky Derby
She only lost one race in her career and it was the one that took her life. One cannot think about the Kentucky Derby without remembering Eight Belles.
The undefeated filly was the epitome of grace, class and speed. Her dark, glistening coat was mere cover for the heart of the athlete that beat beneath it.
As it is every horseman’s dream to win the Kentucky Derby, Eight Belles no doubt had the same hope in her heart when she entered the starting gate at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2008.
Less than three minutes later, her fate had been sealed. Just steps past the finish line, she shattered both her front ankles and was put down almost immediately.
Sometimes the horses that do not win thoroughbred racing’s classics are more famous than those that do. Perhaps that is because people learn more about courage and character, when they watch a champion die trying to win.
Eight Belles may have finished second in that Kentucky Derby, but there will never be anything second rate about her.
Some say she died because the racing surface was too hard. Preparing a track’s surface for speed is a practice that has become more common in our media-driven era. Everyone wants to see track records broken: That is - everyone except those who know how punishing hard racing surfaces are on the thin bones of a thoroughbred.
In the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby, another filly will make a run for the roses. Sadly, Make Music for Me will be filling an empty slot in the starting gate because the 3 year old colt Endorsement, broke his leg in a pre-race workout this week.
Only 39 fillies have ever dared to challenge the colts in the Kentucky Derby. The last one was Eight Belles. Let’s hope that the racing surface will be cushioned enough to favor the welfare of the horses on May 1, 2010, and that a tragic memory from history does not repeat itself.
About the Author of this article:
Maryann worked as an Exercise Rider & Assistant Trainer at Belmont Park Racetrack in New York, and was also among the first female jockeys to ride in the U.S.
During more than a decade at Belmont Park, she worked for many National Hall of Fame trainers and rode many of racing's classic Stakes winners, dozens of whom who went on to produce winners of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup Classic.
She has been an advocate of animal welfare for more than 30 years and is actively involved in rescuing abused and neglected dogs, cats, horses and other animals on her farm.
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Comments
Thank you for this tribute to Eight Belles. I quoted you in my article today www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7431-Animal-Training-Examiner~y2010m4d30-The-Kentucky-Derby-a-carnival-of-cruelty
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