Kentucky Derby Results: Big Brown Wins, Eight Belles Euthanized

In what would be a day filled with both great joy and great sadness, Big Brown proved to be every bit the victor in winning the 134th Kentucky Derby in front of 157,770 fans at Churchill Downs yesterday. Big Brown's first-place finish was 4 3/4 lengths ahead of the only filly in the race, Eight Belles, who took second place.

But then the unthinkable happened.

Just as the horses were making their victory walk around the track, Eight Belles collapsed on the track, the ankles on her front hind legs clearly broken.

The loud cheers immediately stopped and gasps of shock filled the air.

"The injuries were catasrophic," said Dr Larry Bramlage, the track's "on call" veterinarian. "She didn't have a front foot to stand on. She was immediately euthanized. I have never seen anything like this before at the end of a race."

The tragedy brought back memories of Barbaro's fall at the 2006 Preakness. Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, shattered his right leg at the start of the race and was euthanized several months later (despite several surgeries to save the colt's life). And just like Barbaro, Eight Belles had won the hearts of many horse racing fans because she was the sole filly among a field of colts.

"This horse showed you his heart," winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "and Eight Belles showed you her life for our enjoyment today. I'm deeply sympathetic to that team for their loss."

Here is the finishing order:

Big Brown
Eight Belles
Denis of Cork
Tale of Ekati
Recapturetheglory
Colonel John
Anak Nakal
Pyro
Cowboy Cal
Z Fortune
Smooth Air
Visionaire
Court Vision
Z Humor
Cool coal Man
Bob Black Jack
Gayego
Big Truck
Adriano
Monba

Rest in peace, Eight Belles.