Originally Posted by Bababooyee

In many ways, I kinda wish I could forget it. Then, similar to what brian said, I recall the fight in this horse. He never won a race...probably never broke a 40 Beyer. Broken, he fought and struggled to get back up. Refused the chains pulling him into the ambulance. And even the last volitional act of his life was just...so defiant. It seemed the epitome of Dylan Thomas' "Do not go gentle..." In some weird way, and while still much more bitter than sweet, I kinda feel blessed to have witnessed that courage and fight firsthand.

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

So many of us have memorable horses who we loved who had never done anything remarkable. I think that is a great comment on the love some people have for this game. A horse who is 2 for 13 and has bankrolled a measly 10K for winning his two races can leave the same effect as an undefeated Derby winner breaking down in his next race. It really is about the horses, and that fans can find a reason to fall in love with a measly 3200N3L claimer speaks volumes about our game and the fans.

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

So many of us have memorable horses who we loved who had never done anything remarkable. I think that is a great comment on the love some people have for this game. A horse who is 2 for 13 and has bankrolled a measly 10K for winning his two races can leave the same effect as an undefeated Derby winner breaking down in his next race. It really is about the horses, and that fans can find a reason to fall in love with a measly 3200N3L claimer speaks volumes about our game and the fans.

Originally Posted by brianwspencer

It really is about the horses, and that fans can find a reason to fall in love with a measly 3200N3L claimer speaks volumes about our game and the fans.

Originally Posted by easy goer

For some reason Snack sticks in my mind. This was in the 2005 Santa Catalina (now the Bob Lewis stakes). Snack was a crazy closer who had tore up the fields at Hoosier Park or whatever it is in Indiana. Would close from way way back. Paul Reddam purchased him and a few weeks later he was running in the Santa Catalina. I had never seen him run but had heard about him and he sounded fascinating. Was in his usual last position on the back stretch when he broke both front ankles or at least that's what they said. You could see him go down in the video but they cut away real fast. He was probably euthanized on the track but the ESPN guys didnt say for sure or maybe they didnt know. I think Declans Moon won the race before his season ended with the bone chip..

Originally Posted by Bababooyee

Amen.


There was one at River Downs last spring...last race of the afternoon. On a Friday. An otherwise beautiful day. He was at the low end of the food chain...3200-5000 claimer. On paper, not much talent to speak of. Maybe his 2nd or 3rd race ever. 3 or 4 yo. Grey. Still remember that grey mane. Right in front of the grandstand and I was on the outside rail. Maybe 20 yards directly in front of me. I felt the “thud” as much as I heard it. Seemed like forever before the medical team even knew what was going on. People screaming. “Where’s the help!?!” Women and children bawlin’. Men trying to be men with that glassy-eyed, concerned stare. Both horse and jock just layin’ there motionless. ****, what took them so long…I’ll never understand that. Finally, they got the jock strapped on a board and off to the hospital. They couldn't get the horse in the equine ambulance...tried draggin him in with the winch. He fought it. Barely budged. Couldn’t stand up on his own no matter how hard he tried. Broken femur or hip. Somehow they finally got him up…but he couldn’t stand on his own. About six guys helped him stay upright. Out came the tarps. Damn. Right after the injection, he bucked hard and crashed to the ground. Poor bastard. His once beautiful grey mane got all wet and muddy as they dragged his body into the equine ambulance. That was hard…

Originally Posted by easy goer

For some reason Snack sticks in my mind. This was in the 2005 Santa Catalina (now the Bob Lewis stakes). Snack was a crazy closer who had tore up the fields at Hoosier Park or whatever it is in Indiana. Would close from way way back. Paul Reddam purchased him and a few weeks later he was running in the Santa Catalina. I had never seen him run but had heard about him and he sounded fascinating. Was in his usual last position on the back stretch when he broke both front ankles or at least that's what they said. You could see him go down in the video but they cut away real fast. He was probably euthanized on the track but the ESPN guys didnt say for sure or maybe they didnt know. I think Declans Moon won the race before his season ended with the bone chip..

Originally Posted by easy goer

For some reason Snack sticks in my mind. This was in the 2005 Santa Catalina (now the Bob Lewis stakes). Snack was a crazy closer who had tore up the fields at Hoosier Park or whatever it is in Indiana. Would close from way way back. Paul Reddam purchased him and a few weeks later he was running in the Santa Catalina. I had never seen him run but had heard about him and he sounded fascinating. Was in his usual last position on the back stretch when he broke both front ankles or at least that's what they said. You could see him go down in the video but they cut away real fast. He was probably euthanized on the track but the ESPN guys didnt say for sure or maybe they didnt know. I think Declans Moon won the race before his season ended with the bone chip..