I’m just hoping all of the horses live through the race.
Of course. I love animals (most of them). But the sport isn't all that dangerous to horses. We have a better chance at getting killed or killing someone else in our cars than they do getting serious injured on the racetrack. Yet I don't think anyone would ever consider we ban automobiles because of this. Then again, we at least have a choice in the matter. They unfortunately do not, although they definitely do love to run, but maybe not to the point of exhaustion under the whip. Have to admit, it does bother me sometimes too. As a teen I worked at a couple of racetracks (Belmont, Aqueduct, Hialeah and Calder) and the horses are actually very well cared for between races. Most of the time they just hang out in their stalls checking out their peaceful country-like surroundings and munching on horse snacks. Quite a few of the people who work with them love them like their own children.
I didn' watch it for just that reason. I'd watched the Derby---so sad about Eight Belles.