Bringing the Horse Down

Two stories in the Dallas Morning News on Sunday about the Kentuckty Derby. Wanna know who wrote them? So would I! Both were from wire reports. In this day of dwindling newspaper circulation, one of the premier (if not the top) sports section in America could not fund a trip to the Run for the Roses.

In some respects this should not surprise you. Of all the major sporting happenings that take place in this country, horse racing's stock drops right along with boxing and newspapers. Back around the turn of the 19th century through the 1940s, horse racing captured a large chunk of America's attention. Boxing carried a bright torch through the prime Mike Tyson years. And though horse racing fought with the major team sports, legendary horses like Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Affirmed, etc., still drew the eyes and ears of peanut gallery. It just isn't that way anymore.

Very few people care what's happening in the horse racing community. They turn on their lighted boxes in the spring to catch NBC's coverage of the Derby. They might watch the Preakness Stakes. And if there isn't a horse on pace for the Triple Crown, they tune out the Belmont Stakes.

But here's what I don't get. They watch the Derby. Still, it's a massive event at Churchill Downs every year. It's the place to be seen for celebrities. I've heard many people mention their desire to someday make it out for this annual event. It's in a gorgeous part of Kentucky in a magic-filled venue that rivals Yankee Stadium. And then the pagentry of the parade out of the paddock, to the gates, across the finish line, and the roses in the winner's circle. And then to fill in the gaps, the trumpet's call to gates, the playing of My Old Kentucky Home, the big hats! NBC plasters something crazy like three hours of coverage on a two-minute race. And people watch!

Yet, I can't get anything better in my local paper than a couple wire reports on the winner, Big Brown, and what I consider to be the bigger story: the euthanizing of Eight Belles.

As I'm watching the end of the race with my mom, it happens. While everyone celebrates the victory of the overwhelming favorite, my focus shifts to the secondary story of a downed horse after the race. My mom is nearly in tears. She loves animals, especially dogs and horses because she says they are so closely tied to humans. These animals serve humans as their main function on the planet. To a large extent, she's right. Her mind flashed back to the Ruffian vs. Seattle Slew two-horse race in 1975 where Ruffian did not finish had to be put down on the track. Just two years ago, the Derby winner Barbaro broke his ankle in the Preakness and dies a year later from complications from the injury. Needless to say, it was not what my mom wanted to see.

But it is exactly these stories my mom has etched in her mind (she is not what one would call a horse racing fan) that lead me to believe how high the American public still holds the Triple Crown of horse racing.

It was a sad day for Eight Belles and anyone that watched that race. Unfortunately, that's what happens when you push it to the edge. Human althletes have died from pushing themselves too hard. Of course, it's happened with horses. It happens in war. When you shoot for greatness, sometimes tradegy happens. Hey, forgive me in advance for this one, but if you want to make an omlete you have to break some eggs. You don't have to like it, but remember these amazing horses who gave their lives in pursuing the most prestigious crown they could earn. And celebrate those that do win it.

Cheer on Big Brown on the Preakness. And if he loses, watch the Belmont anyway. It's just six minutes out of 527,040 in this leap year. Don't miss out on the magic, the tragedy and the glory. And for pete's sake, let's get a staff writer out to the final two races!