I think Cigar broke down both Holy Bull and Thunder Gulch. Sometimes a horse's greatness can be measured by the horses that broke down trying to stay with him.

It worked out pretty well for the bettors when Barbaro pulled up in the Preakness too and have to admit when Durkin called out "Barbaro is being pulled up" a joyous "Yessssss!" escaped my lips.

Injuries really are part of the fabric of the sport and those injuries have many implications and I doubt Baze knew his horse was in mortal jeopardy. But the reality is they are in jeopardy ever single time they step onto the track for our entertainment and the enrichment of those associated with them.

Dana666 Wrote:
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> Anyone have any comments on the incident last week
> in which Baze was riding a horse who broke down
> yards before the wire and he appeared to keep
> whipping him? It was strange and it I didn't know
> what to make of it. The trainer stands by Baze (I
> think it is Art Sherman). I was speechless to tell
> the truth. Was Baze acting out of reflex? That
> would be his only defense in my mind; otherwise,
> he's moving into Michael Vick territory. Note the
> horse originally survived and walked off and then
> had to be put down which makes the incident worse
> in my mind. You know there were gamblers who bet
> on that horse (an odds-on favorite) who wanted him
> to keeping whipping, too. I remember when a great
> horse broke down (it was one of the first races
> that Cigar won when he went on his streak) at
> Gulfstream and people were cheering because Cigar
> won and the heavy favorite that day broke down.
> People are strange. If I ever need money that
> badly, then shoot me.