Crime?

I don't know why I can't get the story of Eight Belles and the Derby out of my head. I have enjoyed many a horse race with my family in KY, and the grandeur of the animals is amazing. I have friends who own horses who argue that the derby is torture because of the age and the frailty of the horses.* Thoughts from our sportswriters?

As an aside, hubby's grandpa still participates in horse cart races at the age of 80.