Chris_Field's Blog

Big Brown wins the Kentucky Derby and Eight Belles finishes second.  The lone filly in the field breaks both front ankles.  Eight Belles must be euthanized on the track.  Track veterinarians say the injuries she sustained were too severe to even attempt to move her.  They couldn't splint one leg and have her put her front weight on another.  Sadly, this is a real risk every horse race. 

How to cover this was a tough call live for the broadcasters and with the follow-up stories in sportscasts.  If this had been the winner that  broke down, there would be no question - that's the only story that matters.  But,  Big Brown won the Run for the Roses and  Eight Belles was put down.  You have to try to cover both.  We tried to no avail to find someone - an owner, trainer, jockey - associated with one of the Derby teams who's comment could put this into some perspective.  Maybe in the coming days we'll see  this conversation, but on the day of the derby perhaps there was simply too much confusion.

As sad as this is for the Eight Belles family,  winning the Kentucky Derby is one of the greatest moments ever for the Big Brown group.  A day of triumph and tragedy in the span of minutes at Churchill Downs.