Yes, I did cry when I watched the magnificent Barbaro break down during the 131st Preakness Saturday. And I had a lot of good company ? old railbirds, young children, people of all ages and walks of life and stations of society. The sad spectacle was just as affecting to a television viewer in Pasadena, Calif., as to those in the stands. Hardened horsemen, even though they know it goes with the sport they love, nonetheless choke up when describing what could have been.
Thoroughbred racing is more than a sport. It is a highly emotional experience. This is partly because of the beauty of the horses; the brilliance of the jockey silks; the thrilling speed with which the winner will be determined; the variables such as weather and post position; and how the horse is feeling that day. Partly, it?s the appreciation of man and horse working together as one to succeed. Mostly, though, it?s the inescapable elegance, the almost indefinable emotional rush which comes from seeing a creature do what it was created to do, and to give it his or her best.
And in a state like Maryland, whose identity is inextricably entwined with the sport, passions run deep ? particularly for a local horse. After all, Maryland was a racing capital prior to the American War for Independence, way back when Kentucky wasn?t even considered, much less considered backwoods.
Occasionally a true champion comes along who grabs and holds the hearts and hopes of Americans everywhere. Some of them, such as Secretariat, who many consider to be the greatest racehorse of all time, destroyed the competition by ever widening margins, and then retired to a profitable second career as a stud.
Others, including Ruffian, frequently referred to as “the greatest filly of all time,” fell amid their glory. Undefeated in her first 10 races, Ruffian cut the perfect image for the 1970s ? the “girl” beating the best times of the “boys.” In 1975, an equine version of the Billie Jean King/Bobby Riggs tennis battle of the sexes was set up.Sadly, Ruffian broke her leg during this match race with 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. Although surgery repaired her leg, she later tore her cast and tried to do her favorite thing ? run. The resulting damage cost her life.
Barbaro, undefeated until the Preakness, has achieved that rarefied rank of racehorse. Like Ruffian, he had won all his previous starts ? an amazing feat. Imagine a baseball batter hitting a homerun every time at bat.
He blasted past other horses in his first race ? and win ? last October. He went on to win the Laurel Futurity, the Tropical Park Derby, the Holy Bull and the Florida Derby. In these races, on different tracks in different conditions, fans recognized that he gave his all each time out of the gate.
Some horses are highly competitive and simply love what they do. Run the fastest. Beat the rest. It is this drive which sets them apart. Barbaro had it.
And then it was time for the Kentucky Derby, where Barbaro demolished the competition with such ease (his jockey did not even have to use the whip toward the end) and such grace that audiences everywhere immediately recognized they were watching something rare. It made his fractures at the Preakness all the more tragic.
I have seen races where other horses, some well-known, have broken down. Never have I heard the silence or felt so tangible a pall fall over the scene. This was no match race, as with Ruffian, this was the Preakness.
Much of Barbaro?s future depends on how he handles himself.The University of Pennsylvania?s New Bolton Center offers the best care possible. It is renowned for its work, due to the caliber of its surgeons, vets, support staff, facilities and technology.
Barbaro?s potential as a stud makes him a multimillion dollar property, and every means will be employed to ensure the day-by-day steps to possible healing. But Barbaro has to be willing to endure the many tedious weeks and months of his recovery.
It?s tragic to know we will never see him race again. But it is inspiring to know he gave each race his all, that he has given his best through surgery and in his immediate post-operation recovery days.
As centuries of fans know, it is the heart of horses like Barbaro that draw and will continue to draw crowds to horse racing.
Brooke Gunning is the author of several regional bestsellers, including “Maryland Thoroughbred Racing,” “Baltimore?s Halcyon Days” and “Towson and the Villages of Ruxton and Lutherville.” She currently is at work on her next book.
