Sports

By Van Rose vrose@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter

PLAINS TWP. — The tragic death of Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles, who suffered two broken ankles after the finish of Saturday’s race, once again illustrated the potential danger and heartbreak that come with horse racing.

Eight Belles fell to the ground on the clubhouse turn, seconds after crossing the finish line. She was euthanized a few minutes later after it was determined there was nothing that could be done to save her.

“It was a freak injury,” said George Karazia of Bear Creek, who has trained thoroughbreds for more than 35 years on the East Coast. “I’ve seen just about everything, but nothing like two broken ankles after the finish of a race.”

Eight Belles’ death raised questions about the safety of thoroughbred and harness racing.

Harness racing is much safer, according to Dale Rapson, vice president of racing operations at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. He says there have only been a few instances of horses suffering fatal injuries since the track opened in 1965.

“Harness horses don’t have the same bone structure as thoroughbreds,” Rapson said. “Thoroughbreds are more vulnerable to injury. We’ve had some horses that have suffered heart attacks during a race, but fatal injuries are extremely rare.”

State veterinarian Mary-Lynn McBride, who has worked at Pocono Downs for 15 years, concurred.

“Standardbreds have a completely different gait,” said McBride. “They never put all the weight on one leg at the same time. They carry their weight on one front leg and one back leg at the same time.

“Harness racing is much safer because the horses pull the weight of a human instead of having it on their back. We’ve not had a muscular skeletal injury (broken leg) that required a horse to be taken off the track by ambulance.”

A catastrophic injury like Eight Belles suffered almost defies comprehension, McBride added.

“It was very unpredictable,” she said. “She looked sound going to the starting gate and obviously raced very well.”

Driver-trainer Greg Wasiluk is a 31-year harness racing veteran who has raced at Pocono Downs for three decades. He says even though injuries to horses are part of the sport, they’re never easy to accept.

“A few years ago I had a horse who broke his ankle in a race and he had to be put down on the track,” Wasiluk said. “It’s a sad thing. I couldn’t bear to watch it, so I just turned my head away.”

Eight Belles, who finished 4� lengths behind Derby winner Big Brown, was attempting to become the fourth filly winner in the 134-year history of the Run for the Roses.

Karazia said the stress of running against colts could have been a factor in her fate.

“The pressure of running harder than she normally would against fillies may have taken its toll. Horses are so agile – their ankles are no bigger than your wrist.

“You can’t imagine the heart she had.”