Kentucky Derby weekend is usually a time filled with
excitement and anticipation. It starts
with the running of the Kentucky Oaks for three-year-old fillies (females) on
Friday. This year's Oaks day started out
by bringing back bad memories for trainer Michael Matz, who conditioned Barbaro to a Derby win in 2006. His horse Chelokee, a Derby contender last year,
stumbled and fell in the stretch during the running of the Alysheba Stakes,
tossing rider Ramon Dominguez.
Initial reports for Chelokee looked bad; however, the
outcome was later revised after X-rays were taken. Chelokee was diagnosed with a dislocated
right-front ankle, an injury that will require surgery to fuse the 5-cm gap. Although his chances for survival are only
50-50, it's a good sign that the colt is in playful spirits. A traffic cone was added to his stall as a
toy - and distraction - to keep him from attempting to pull out his IV.
There was a much more serious injury suffered in the running
of the Derby
the next day. Eight Belles,
stablemate of Oaks' winner Proud Spell, is one of
the few fillies who attempted to be the fourth filly in the 134-year history of
the Derby to
beat the boys. She finished second to
winner Big Brown,
beating 18 other colts. The cost? She suffered a condylar fracture to each
front ankle.
With an injury as sudden and severe as two broken front-ankles,
Eight Belles fell immediately and could not stand. Horses bear approximately 70% of their weight
on the forehand, or front legs. The
track veterinarians and trainer decided to euthanize her immediately because
there was no way to repair the damage.
To make matters worse, the skin was torn, contaminating the break.
So is the racing
surface the problem? Or is the
thoroughbred getting
weaker? Several people interviewed
on NBC after the race said they felt the condition of the track at Churchill
Downs did not contribute to the injuries.
I'm not so sure. The track was "sealed" (packed with rollers) multiple
times after downpours on Friday. It was
labeled "fast" by Saturday afternoon – the best condition – but was probably quite
hard.
The SuperfectaBlog notes that for several generations,
thoroughbreds have been bred for speed at the expense of soundness. Eight Belles' sire is Unbridled's
Song (stud fee $150,000) who had hoof issues while racing. Several of his get (offspring) have inherited
the trend. Did this contribute to the
demise of Eight Belles?
Big Brown, the winner of this year's Derby, has also been plagued by hoof problems
throughout his racing career. In fact,
his feet are literally glued together with special shoes. After his retirement, there is no doubt that
he will be in high demand as a sire to (hopefully) pass on his speed and power
to future generations. But will his
flimsy feet be passed on too? We can
only hope not.
Resources:
http://www.drf.com/news/article/94217.html
http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45028.htm
http://www.drf.com/news/article/94274.html
http://thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2008/May/03/Eight-Belles-euthanized-after-runner-up-finish-in-Kentucky-Derby.aspx
http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/article/45041.htm
http://superfectablog.blogspot.com/
http://www.timesleader.com/sports/20080504_04_eight_belles_spt_ART.html
Animal
Science Blog
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