What follows is a re-post of a blog entry, the deletion of which led to a disagreement with my supervisor, which led to me losing my job. I have no regrets.
March 7, 2009.
Days like this make me question my love for horse racing.
This week I have been following Blue Exit as he trained for the “Big ‘Cap.” Those who have checked the blog often have had the chance to follow along, too.
On Saturday, I went to morning workouts. An Eoin Harty horse reportedly broke down at the end of its workout. It would not surprise me if that had something to do with Colonel John (a Harty trainee) being scratched from the Big ‘Cap. Also, three horses got loose on the tracks and tore trough the barn area during the time that I was there.
There just seemed to be an odd feeling in the air.
I went to the Hollendorfer barn to get a photo of the detention stall sign in front of Blue Exit’s stall. While I was there, I was pleasantly surprised to see his owners come in to visit him. It was a great photo opportunity, as Blue happily reveled in the attention.
Not surprisingly, Blue Exit was tough to handle in the paddock, repeatedly lunging forward. His good looks brought his odds down to 6-1 by post time. His connections have always been high on him, and now the public was starting to agree.
I felt butterflies in my stomach before the race, as I always do before the start of the Big ‘Cap, my favorite race. Blue loaded without a single moment of hesitation. The crowd, as in past years, let out a roar as the gates broke open.
Blue was getting a dream trip, mid-pack and saving ground along the rail. I was focused on his orange #7 saddlecloth on the infield big screen. As the field entered the third turn, I saw his head bob. Then again. And again.
He had broken down. His right front leg was fractured with one bad step.
Is this really happening?
I have seen breakdowns before, on TV and in person. The race call always becomes a blur after it happens.
This one was different. It was worse. I had never been this emotionally attached to a horse who broke down.
Dazed and aimless, tears filling my eyes, I meandered back to the barn, where I overheard Blue’s fate. He was gone. I didn’t expect any differently, judging by how quickly he had stopped.
I have known about Blue since he was imported from France last fall. I’ve seen him a couple times, and followed him more extensively for just the past week. I can’t even imagine how those who have seen him everyday for the past six months feel. I don’t want to imagine. Their faces were blank, likely still in shock.
In a perfect world, no horse would ever get injured. In the real world, accidents happen in many different ways. Unfortunately with the equine anatomy, one misstep can spell disaster.
Blue Exit’s fatal racing injury was the second this year on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride track. That is a positive statistic.
Unfortunately, it’s two horses too many.
Rest in peace, beautiful Blue.
___________________
To remember Blue Exit at his best, see these links:
Additional Photos from Friday and Saturday
Blue Exit - Photo © 2009 Marcie Heacox.
sidfernando said
Very good post Marcie.
My Experience as a Corporate Blogger « Blog o' Blogs said
[...] I had already made on the subject. So I wrote. To review the post in its entirety, see my re-post HERE. I didn’t let it all hang out. I left out a lot of details, both related to the horse and myself, [...]