Horse racing, more than any other sport, is shrouded in ambivalence.

Those who romanticize it as the sport of kings hark back to royal
roots in the 12th century. Legendary sportswriters such as Damon Runyon
popularized an image of racegoers as con artists, reprobates and
ne'er-do-wells.

The ambivalence often extends to the moods of the spectators (and
gamblers) as well -- as it did May 3, when racing entrepreneurs exulted
in the Kentucky Derby triumph of Big Brown, who provided the industry
with a genuine hope for the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

But within seconds of Big Brown's victory came a tragedy that turned exultation into mourning.

Eight Belles -- who placed and was the only filly in the race --
collapsed just past the finish line, hideously shattering both front
ankles. She was euthanized on the track just as the payouts were being
flashed on the tote board.

The very genetic traits that make modern thoroughbreds so fast appear to also be making them unsound.

The thoroughbred has been described as 1,200 pounds on piano legs,
its design freakishly aerodynamic, but increasingly, tragically
fragile. If you're looking for blame, the bête noire of ethics --
greed -- is a popular target.

When horse racing was truly the sport of kings, the horses were
allowed to mature at their own pace. The owners of today's
thoroughbreds still tend to be well-heeled. But they also expect rapid
profits. Just consider the fact that Big Brown's owners are partners in
a hedge fund.

While their English predecessors were gamboling in the fields at 2
years old, these animals are loaded into starting gates and urged to
run faster than common sense would dictate.

Highly regarded handicapper Andy Beyer wrote in the Washington Post
that "Eight Belles was a tragic manifestation of a problem that is more
pronounced every year. America's breeding industry is producing
increasingly fragile thoroughbreds."

Beyer went on to point out that, in 1960, the average U.S. racehorse
made 11.3 starts a year. Now the average U.S. thoroughbred races a mere
6.3 times a year.

The racing industry has taken bold steps to protect horses -- most
notably the widespread installation of an artificial racing surface
that is said to be kinder to horses than traditional dirt tracks. But
studies suggest that fatalities still occur at a rate of 1.4 horses per
1,000 starts.

The problem, quite literally, may well be hidden beneath the
surface. Until it's solved, conscientious fans will find it difficult
to separate the pain from the pleasure.

Lou Gelfand • lgelfand@startribune.com