Only one filly before today had come in 2nd at the Kentucky Derby (only three had won). Eight Belles finished a strong second today.
As she was slowing after the race, her jockey heard the sound every horseman fears, the sound of a condylar fracture, a break in the horse's cannon bone. Seconds later, the same bone in her now overburdened other front leg also broke.
She was euthanized on the track seven minutes after crossing the finish line.
Posted by Greg at May 3, 2008 8:26 PM