Barbaro

First I should say that I'm generally not a racing fan - not of horse racing nor of dog racing. The exception to the rule is of course, Jack Russell Racing which for anyone who's never seen it is the single most hilarious thing in the entire world. A field of highly-caffeinated terriers chase a furry thing on a string toward a finish line at top speed - and there is only one terrier-sized hole at the end for the winner to get through. The rest of the pack slams against a padded wall until they find said hole. So. Much. Fun.

Anyway, I did manage to catch the Kentucky Derby this year. The most exciting 2 minutes in sports, they say. It was truly incredible. Watching Barbaro come out of nowhere and then run so much faster than any other horse was true poetry. I was moved.

Then to hear today that Barbaro was running in the Preakness and after one false start managed to break his leg in several places. I never really understood fully why horses had to be put down if they broke a leg, but oddly enough today's LA Times had a great explanation (I generally buy the times only to line my catboxes with). It's quite sad, apparently many times they put the horse down right on the track when this happens.

But Barbaro is in surgery now at one of the top equine hospitals... sending some serious love to you Barbaro! I know you won't ever be able to race again, but here's to hoping for a nice long life on the stud farm!

Katja Minx
www.sadomasokitten.com