I Think Barbaro Should Be Put Down

[Samarta]

It is a terrible position to be in and one I don't envy. This horse took them on the ride of their lives from Jan to May and it took a drastic turn at the Preakness. On one hand I understand the thought process of stopping on him and putting him down. On the other hand I firmly believe that if it were the right thing to do, Dr. Richardson would simply tell the Jacksons that it was time.

You know people give owners such a hard time when they retire horses "too early" and sure I suppose there are cases where it's a take the money and run thing, but for the most part the ride that an entire team goes on when a horse realizes it's potential at just the right time and wins the Derby is something that most people could never imagine. So when most owners make the decision to retire horses or exhaust all medical means to save a horse, it is done so out of heartfelt gratitude toward the animal that allowed them to live a dream. So with all of that, I just have to believe that if they had any doubts at all, they would put him down. Until that happens, fight on big boy, fight on.