Tragedy at the Kentucky Derby

I love sports and I love animals, one would think that I would love the Kentucky Derby.

I'll watch it, but I don't make it a point, and Saturday is a prime reason why.

For those who might not have heard, the second place finisher, Eight Belles (the only filly in the race), pulled up at the end of the race having broken (shattered is probably closer to the truth) both of her front ankles.

She was euthanized on the track.

I'm glad that I didn't see it, just reading the story afterwards saddened me greatly.

I was watching the Preakness two years ago and I remember it clearly.

Cubs/Astros was about to start, and I was at Home Plate Sports Bar just across the street from the home plate entrance to the Juice Box (more commonly refered to as Minute Maid Park or the Park Formally Known As Enron) waiting to meet up with my friends for the game.

I settled into a spot up at the bar (trust me, you aren't getting a seat an hour before game time at Home Plate) and watched in glorious high definition as Barbaro continued his quest for the Triple Crown. I shuttered along with the entire bar as he went down after the start having broken his right rear leg. I thought for sure that he would be killed on the spot and hoped that they wouldn't show it.

I followed the story for the next couple of months hoping he could recover and was saddened when he could not.

I haven't watched a horse race since, and after Saturday's tragedy I'm not sure that I ever will again.

Is a sport worth the life of a majestic animal that doesn't even get a choice in whether or not it wants to race?