What a Tragedy

My friend is a big horse racing fan. She worked at a local track during college and has followed racing ever since. But two years ago she watched Barbaro give his life for the sport. She watched greedy men use animals for their entertainment and was disillusioned. So last year she had no interest in the Kentucky Derby. But today when I stopped by her house on my way home she was watching the run for the roses again. She held her breath as all the horses got out of the gate. She worried as all the horses ran in such a large pack. She breathed a sigh of relief when it appeared that all made it across the finish line safely. She had her favorites but I was rooting for the lone filly, Eight Belles. Eight Belles finished second. Quite an accomplishment. Then she fell down with both ankles broken only to be euthanized minutes later. While the winners celebrated their victory she lay on the track shielded by two ambulances so the crowd would not have to witness the downside of racing. What a tragedy.

When will man stop using animals, pushing them beyond the limits of their bodies, for their entertainment? And when will people say "Enough"