HORSE SENSE
All of horse racing fandom and many outside the the Sport of Kings are contemplating the astonishing failure of Big Brown to compete in the Belmont Stakes and complete the Triple Crown last Saturday.
Running third going into the final turn, jockey Kent Desormeaux signaled his Triple Crown "sure thing" to engage his booster rockets for the patented burst of speed he's employed to win all five previous races including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes by a total of thirty-nine lengths. Instead, Big Brown morphed into Big Bust, refusing to run and finishing dead last, a first for any equine competing for the last leg of horsedom's greatest feat.
Was it the quarter crack that developed in his left front foot a week before the race? Could it have been the use of anabolic steroids fed our wonder horse up till just before he won the Derby in April. They are banned in ten states but in none of the three where Triple Crown events take place. If the other nine contenders were affected by the ninety-three degree heat it didn't cause them to quit.
It may have more to do with the folly of man who has been training horses to risk life and limb for the pleasure and profit of their masters since 4,500 BC. It is in our nature to control those who have no voice and no say when it comes to doing our bidding, whether it's less fortunate people or thoroughbred horses. Big Brown was moving to the Winner's Circle at the Derby when second place finisher Eight Belles broke down and was destroyed trackside after her gallant run to glory for her owners.
Maybe we sell these wondrous creatures short. Could Big Brown have sensed the injustice and stupidity of the fate that is handed to him and his lesser steeds and simply rebelled against the exploitation they have endured for six thousand, five hundred years? If so, Eight Belles, up in horse heaven, would be smiling. And man again learns, you can lead a horse to the Triple Crown, but you can't make him run.
Originally published in Chicago Tribune, June 11, 2008
Running third going into the final turn, jockey Kent Desormeaux signaled his Triple Crown "sure thing" to engage his booster rockets for the patented burst of speed he's employed to win all five previous races including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes by a total of thirty-nine lengths. Instead, Big Brown morphed into Big Bust, refusing to run and finishing dead last, a first for any equine competing for the last leg of horsedom's greatest feat.
Was it the quarter crack that developed in his left front foot a week before the race? Could it have been the use of anabolic steroids fed our wonder horse up till just before he won the Derby in April. They are banned in ten states but in none of the three where Triple Crown events take place. If the other nine contenders were affected by the ninety-three degree heat it didn't cause them to quit.
It may have more to do with the folly of man who has been training horses to risk life and limb for the pleasure and profit of their masters since 4,500 BC. It is in our nature to control those who have no voice and no say when it comes to doing our bidding, whether it's less fortunate people or thoroughbred horses. Big Brown was moving to the Winner's Circle at the Derby when second place finisher Eight Belles broke down and was destroyed trackside after her gallant run to glory for her owners.
Maybe we sell these wondrous creatures short. Could Big Brown have sensed the injustice and stupidity of the fate that is handed to him and his lesser steeds and simply rebelled against the exploitation they have endured for six thousand, five hundred years? If so, Eight Belles, up in horse heaven, would be smiling. And man again learns, you can lead a horse to the Triple Crown, but you can't make him run.
Originally published in Chicago Tribune, June 11, 2008
posted by Walt Zlotow at 6:11 PM
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