Filly Killed On Kentucky Derby Race Course

May 3, 2008

Elaine Meinel Supkis

Mongols, in the 13th century, rode only mares into battle. And the European chivalry rode only stallions. In the Kentucky Derby, a very, very young mare was literally ridden into the ground where she perished. This always irritates me. Racing young horses is criminal. But it also turns out that this mare is connected to Hillary Clinton. She told Chelsea to bet on the mare and hoped, I suppose, to crow about this strong filly and compare herself with the poor thing. So I shall connect the business of fillies, wars and breaking down and dying. There is a common thread here that is as bright as red blood.

Filly’s Death Casts Shadow Over Big Brown’s Victory in Derby

When Big Brown entered the homestretch, seemingly finding a gear only seen on sci-fi rocket ships, the 157,000 people here to celebrate thoroughbred racing and the millions more watching on television, had their breath taken away by the big colt’s extraordinary burst. When Eight Belles emerged from a pack of horses in the stretch to give determined chase, many checked their programs, “Was that really the filly?”

Big Brown hit the wire four and three quarter lengths ahead of Eight Belles, and horse lovers could hardly be disappointed. But moments later, there was heartbreak. While Kent Desormeaux was galloping out the triumphant Big Brown, rubbing the big bay’s neck in congratulation, Eight Belles fell to the ground.

Eight Belles had fractured both of her front ankles, said the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ on-call veterinarian, Dr. Larry Bramlage, and was euthanized on the racetrack.

First of all, the long-legged stallion is Big Brown. We know that Obama is a scary person because he is one of you-know-who. By definition, this is scary. And much of the last two months has focused on Big Brown and his scary colors. Then there is the elitist problem: Big Brown, representing an oppressed minority that has never been allowed inside the White House except if they service white rulers, is a scary elite person.

The race horse, Big Brown, had to run on the outside rail. Despite this, he sailed ahead of all the other horses including the War Filly. She was on the inside rail, of course. Being an insider was supposed to help her run. But she quickly fell behind the scary elite horse, Big Brown from the outside rail. He just sailed right past her! So she redoubled her pace and ran like crazy.

Eight Belles euthanized on track

Hillary Clinton didn't attend the race, but she ordered her daughter to bet the filly. Eight Belles, who went off at 13-1, repaid the fans' faith by returning $10.60 and $6.40.

A lot of people plunked down their cash on the War Filly. She ran and ran and spent and spent and still couldn't catch up with the scary Big Brown dude. Perhaps we could suggest, like in the Victorian era when suffragettes flung themselves into race horses, Reverend Wright ran onto the track, waving his arms at Big Brown. But Big Brown barreled onwards and won the race just as I expect Obama to win the nomination.

Hillary was hoping her horse would win. If this happened, she and her followers would have crowed endlessly about this. The truth is, the poor horse broke not one but both of her front legs disintegrated. Just as Hillary's legs will not carry her to victory, either. All this hatred and fury raised over this nomination will be wasted. Down the drain. And the horse was mercifully put down. But no one will put Hillary out of this race, not until her legs break at the finish line at the Convention itself. And don't think there won't be vast bitterness and anger and of course, retaliation against Big Brown for running his race his own way.

Barbaro's Bones Disintigrated Because Of Dangerous Drugs

The dead race horse, Barbaro, was killed by drugs. Lasix is a human medication that racing moguls inject into healthy horses in order to make them lose water fast. This drug also leeches out potasium and other minerals we use to keep our bones healthy. So no we have an epidemic of young horses shattering their legs.

Indeed. I recall very few instances of horses suddenly disintigrating on the race track until the last 15 years. It is now epidemic. It isn't old race horses doing this, it is very young ones. The main thing is, drugging horses or athletes is, to me, a criminal act: the drugging of a young horse in order to ride it deliberately to death, was clothed by the media and by hysterical, childish young (mostly) girls into this totally fake story of a brave little horse that incidentally ran itself into the ground in a heroic attempt at winning a race for its masters and owners.

And I thought I should link to an earlier posting I wrote about the scandal of feeding VERY YOUNG horses, drugs. We don't have Triple Crown winners anymore because the horses are falling apart. Way too much inbreeding coupled with too many drugs and too early racing. Other countries, a number of them don't race baby horses. Horses are not mature until they are over 6 years of age. This is far older than Derby racers. All we have to do is pass rules forbidding the racing of juvenile horses just like we protect children from exploitation. Thank you.

My own horse, Sparky, by the way, is very old and has gone increasingly lame and can barely walk. I will be regretfully putting him down pretty soon, alas. This fearful choice is not pleasant. I can only hope he can run eternally with Pegasus in the night's heavenly pastures.

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Comments

[don]

From the Humanity side, I am wondering how many kids today are being pushed to perform
because the parents needs aren't getting satisfied. What has happen to morale and priorities and just loving your children?
This world is sick.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[AF]

don-

I'd imagine that scenario is pretty common in today's society. Especially since there seems to be an abundance of parents out there more interested in treating their kids as prized possessions instead of a human beings.

[CT]

Well, Elaine, I almost cried by the time you got to mentioning Sparky. You're right about the changes which need to be made. But, all in all, I think I will interpret this story as a good omen.

[AM Riniker]

Elaine...
I do agree with you on the drugs for a "better" race horse. When I was 14 my parents allowed my sister and I to adopt 8 wild mustangs from Nevada. Such beautiful creatures. Last year after 29 years the last one past on.

Unfortunatly, I really cannot even watch the derby or the triple crown any more, as I am so scared of what will happen. For a kid who grew up cheering and cheering the tv for Secretariat, and all the other greats. It is a sad sad world that a young horses that according to the "old fashioned" horsepeople should not be pushed until they are matured.
She is now another great horse in heaven for Man O War and Secretariat to usher around.
About Sparky, It will hurt A Lot the first year, Then God grants us time to heal, AND you start looking at the new "babies"
All The Best from Iowa

[Elaine Meinel Supkis]

Thank you, everyone. I just posted the story about Sparky an hour ago. It was a painful day for all of us. I dug the grave myself because I wanted to be deeply involved. We embrace death just as we embrace life. We saved Sparky's life [he was a very, very unruly horse and we tamed him and turned him into a trusted friend].

I have adopted a number of horses over the years. Each one was unique and had his or her own personalities and habits. Just like the oxen and the sheep. I treasure them all and they are more than money or goods.

They have all been beloved.

[Gary W]

Vale Sparky. Another charming tale from the queen of teasing things apart. I hope you have a chance to write a book.

[refrigerated trucks]

Don't neglect to check out the heat transmission rate of your trailer also.