Horse Racing


Feature Writer: BarbaraAnne Helberg
BarbaraAnne Helberg, BarbaraAnne Helberg

At Horse Racing we categorize, analyze and discuss the largest and most sensitive athletes in the world. We take an in-depth look at their historic accomplishments and current expectations for glory, their jockeys, connections, and trainers. Race with us from the starting gates and in the harness.

Follow us to the richest racing carnival in the world, the Dubai World Cup. Get your bets down and your opinions in on the next thoroughbred and standardbred Triple Crown champions. Find out who are the great runners from the Hambletonian to the Kentucky Derby. Stay with us for the Breeders' Cup in October, where the season's champions duel it out for the year's top honors. Check our blogs, and join the discussions!

If your passion and curiosity are about the competitive racing horse, you'll enjoy the ride with us!

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Horse Squares Drawing, BarbaraAnne Helberg
feature articles
BarbaraAnne Helberg

Recapturetheglory Enters Preakness

In: Triple Crown Racing

Jogging an easy mile on May 7, Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown remained scheduled for the Preakness Stakes May 17 with only Recapturetheglory to try him again. more...

New Shooters for Preakness Stakes

In: Triple Crown Racing

Not many Derby horses want another shot at the hotshot, Big Brown. Top trainer Todd Pletcher will go with new shooter Behindatthebar, victor in the Lexington Stakes. more...

Equine Fractures Are Difficult

In: Horse Racing (general)

PETA wants to halt Thoroughbred race track breakdowns by changing the standards of the Sport of Kings. Authorities say concerns are unfounded; most race horses thrive. more...

Desormeaux Gets 3rd Derby Win

In: Triple Crown Racing

Hall of Fame Jockey Kent Desormeaux gambled in moving his tack to New York from California, but ended speculation by romping with Big Brown to his 3rd KD title. more...

Kentucky Derby Chart and Facts

In: Triple Crown Racing

A record crowd, second largest in its history, attended the Kentucky Derby May 3. Big Brown put himself in the top 20 of Derby speedsters. Filly Eight Belles ran 2nd. more...

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BarbaraAnne Helberg

May 9, 2008

A Blog for Eight Belles Bloggers

This is a blog to respond to misunderstandings presented in some blogs that comment on the extensive blog written by NTRA's president concerning Eight Belles' Derby.


Eight Belles' injuries were nothing similar to those of Ruffian in 1975. In her match race with Foolish Pleasure, Ruffian shattered her right leg and kept running. Eight Belles' cause of collapse is yet undetermined. Both front legs broke beneath her. She went down immediately. What caused the fall? Nothing like this has been seen before. Falling forward and breaking two legs is not something that happens to a horse in normal stride.

All Thoroughbred foals born in the Northern Hemisphere have the same birthday, Jan. 1, each year so that their racing registry may be kept accurate. Example: only three-year-olds race in the Kentucky Derby, etc.

Sharing a Barbaro, or an Eight Belles moment is a good thing. The Sport of Kings should not come to a halt because of Eight Belles' freak accident. Yes, let's take an intelligent, closer look at safety.

Never watching (a race) again would be like never driving your car again because a car accident killed members of your family.

According to Larry Bramlage, D.V.M., growth and development of the bones of young horses partially depends on their active use. Race horses must practice their game, and practice makes stronger bodies.

The jury is still out on the subject of synthetic surfaces. Is it more, or less safe?

Bloggers responded to the "Safety First" blog presented by NTRA president and CEO Alex Waldrop. All fans of horse racing may converse about Eight Belles' tragedy. An accident of this nature on the biggest stage of American Thoroughbred racing should be discussed. That's healthy. Accusations surrounding something no one could possibly alter are not.

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