Champion Bridesmaid... Preakness Disaster

Tales of a Weary Bridesmaid
A lot has happened since we last visited, gentle reader. I have triumphed in the oldest of wedding olympics, i.e. the catching of the bouquet. It required using some elbows and snatching from other equally determined would-be-bouquet-catchers. Nevertheless, I prevailed in a stunning show of my bygone softball days.

News from My Neck of the Woods
Ray Nagin has been re-elected as mayor of New Orleans. I honestly don't know how I feel about this and what it means for Louisiana politics. Oh for the days of Southampton.

Sorry to Be Right
But by far, the news that hit me hardest was the disaster at Saturday's Preakness. As you know, Triple Crown favorite Barbaro suffered a career-ending and potentially life-threatening leg injury. (Traditionally a broken canon bone equates to putting the horse down, and sadly I can relate after having lost a horse with a similar injury several years ago.) Sports Illustrated photos show the horse in strong form after surgery. Drastic measures are being taken to save Barbaro for a breeding career, and his odds are 50-50.

Last week after the Derby, I predicted Barbaro couldn't win the crown. I went on to bemoan the problems of the racing industry. While I certainly hadn't imagined such a fate for Barbaro, I couldn't help remembering my comments as soon as I heard the news.

"So much pressure is put on these young horses. You wouldn’t believe how many million dollar yearlings are discarded each year because of tendon trouble, hock lesions, bone chips, and so on. I don’t think Barbaro can make the trip. I don’t think any horse can. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think we’ll see another Triple Crown winner. The physical pressure is too much and these young horses just can’t take it."

Though I have a long history of disagreements with animal activists, I for once agree in the broadest of terms with the basic position that regulations need to be enforced in the racing industry to lessen incidents such as Barbaro's injury. This is probably the only time I'll ever link to PETA, but if you can weed through the propaganda, this article comments on the drug use, insurance scandals, and other dark issues of the race industry. The article should be balanced with the fact that not all owners, breeders, and trainers are the heartless villians PETA would portray. There is a certain love for the horse and respect for the industry that motivates the average horseman. I do hope in Barbaro's case that he is treated royally, as I'm sure he will be.