Out of sight, but not out of mind
By Gina Spadafori
November 4, 2006
Once again, horse-racing proves to be the sport I hate to love, as Pine Island became a victim of racing euphemisms at the Breeders’ Cup: DNF (Did Not Finish), Catastrophic Breakdown, and Euthanised. In plain English, she snapped her leg into bits and was killed shortly after the race.
She was, by all accounts, a very personable filly, a favorite of the folks in her barn. Her trainer and owner were too upset to comment on the loss.
I came out ahead on the day, thanks to the longshot pick of Street Sense in the Juvenile. Two firsts and three seconds, my best handicapping ever.
Doesn’t really matter, of course. I don’t watch for the winning; I watch for the horses. And when these things happen, I am left to wonder why I still do.
Update: Here is a wonderful picture of Pine Island, prepping for the race. I’m sure that’s the way her people would rather remember her.
