Clinton's Filly Eight Belles #2 in Derby, Euthanized Moments Later

Sen. Hillary Clinton told local press this week she liked Eight Belles to win the Kentucky Derby tonight. Big Brown was the winner, but Eight Belles, the filly, came in second.

But any happiness from the filly's stunning come-from-behind rally was short lived - she broke both her front legs as a result of the race and had to be put down.

The horse came from way behind the pack but collapsed after taking second place. ESPN commentators immediately asked what had happened.

"There was no possible way to save her," a vet spokesman said on ESPN just now.

Chelsea Clinton is attending the Derby as a campaign surrogate for her mom, since Kentucky votes in the Democratic primary May 20 and many in the Indiana media market are following the race. Campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe also is there.

— Christina Bellantoni is a, national political reporter, for The Washington Times

Comments

[RfilmTV]

Can we admit the obvious IRONY and potential prophecy the parallels between Clinton and her tragic horse pick Eight Belles.

The term "Eight bells" can be a way of saying that a sailor's watch is over, for instance, in his or her obituary.

(It's a nautical euphemism for "finished", Mrs. Clinton -- nice pick)

Why is Hillary parallel to filly Eight Belles?

1) Hillary will stop at NOTHING even if it hurts herself and her party and she is not fit to go the much longer track of this particular race.

2) They both are fillies running against a powerful herd of massive colts. Crossing the finish line is not the only goal here. Surviving is another.

3) Hillary wanted everyone to bet for Eight Belles to win simply because she was female -- and everyone who trusted her lost.

4) The jockey tried to stop Eight Belles but she refused -- she kept running and running... until a sickening "pop" and it was over.

5) The filly was fatally crippled, so they euthanized her. Will this happen to America and her potential presidency?

6) Will all fillies have a hard time running in the "big race" hereafter?

7) Was it the new "artificial turf" that did her in?

Our new world turf takes brute strength, respect and longevity.

I bet on the sure thing Big Brown and I won.

I'm betting on Obama because I don't want a spooked washed up horse like McCain.

[timeforachangenow]

unbelievable some of the crass comments on this site about this....8(

my grandparents raced horses and not once did I see any of those beautiful steeds mistreated!

you may as well tell all the olympic athletes to stop abusing their bodies!

these horses are loved and maintained better that some people and in the prime of their lives...8)

if you don't want to be a part of this sports group then feel free not to but don't down others for doing what they love to do and honoring those extremely well bred and wonderful horses...8)

this was an extremely unfortunate accident and that is all!

[S1m0n]

"my grandparents raced horses and not once did I see any of those beautiful steeds mistreated!"

You may think that whipping animals to force them to run faster than they want to isn't mistreatment, but I do.

[grendl]

Speaking for the rest of the Animal Kingdom, horseracing is cruel.

So wax poetic all you want about a sport where animals are whipped around a track, where their life and limb are equally at risk, and often inextricably linked, but your grandparents partook of an inhumane practice.

Olympians choose to compete. Horses don't much like being crammed into metal gates, and made to run a mile and a half at break neck speed. That's what they told me to tell you.

Oh, and the dolphins told me to tell Seaworld to go fuck itself.

[duffy212]

Ummm......it's been a day, perhaps a few more? Yes, Clinton put her money on the filly and "Big Brown " won......oooooo. A horse just broke two ankles!!!! SAD!

[duffy212]

This is so sad, thousands of people cheering in the background while a poor helpless animal suffers the danger of people's entertainment. Shame on us for putting innocent animals in this situation. Horse races make me sick.

[grendl]

What is the appropriate waiting time between terrible events and political analogies?

[TheOtherMaven]

Another racetrack tragedy. Have modern-day Thoroughbreds become too inbred and delicate, are half-grown horses being pushed too fast too soon, or is it just the inevitable result of callous exploitation of animals for the entertainment of people?

[SCharb]

Disturbingly symbolic.

[Thorn]

Thanks for this breaking news that everyone on Earth has already read (including on this site).