Wall Street Journal

The Racehorse That America Adored

Following the breakdown of the brilliant filly Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago and her on-track euthanizing, the blame -- and complaints about horseracing in general -- spread in many directions. The most common object of critics' ire was the baleful prevalence in the sport of drugs, both licit (Lasix) and illicit (steroids). Judging by the condemnations of this modern scourge, one could be pardoned for thinking that trainers of old were all virtuous horsemen who put their animals' well-being first and eschewed medicinal short-cuts to the winner's circle. (19/05) More