ESPN: THE FINAL FURLONG

In the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the homepage for horseracing on ESPN.com ran a story called “The Final Furlong.” Quite honestly, I couldn’t make myself read it.

This morning I happened upon it in the May issue of ESPN, The Magazine, and, it being early in the day, I felt up to swallowing whatever dose of medicine they were about to dish out on the subject of putting down injured racehorses.

While not an expert on all the intricacies of being an emergency vet at a racetrack, the story seemed fair. Here is the link to the story, although I’m not sure ESPN will let you read it unless you’re an “Insider.”

Click here and see what happens.

ESPN also ran an accompanying piece on their horse racing page written by the author of the magazine story. It too portrayed this difficult aspect of the business in a fair and compassionate manner.

She's (Dr. Celeste Kuntz, The Meadowlands) even developed a vocabulary to inform the owner when words are all she has left for the horse.

"It's hopeless."

"I'm very, very sorry.

"It's a very serious injury."

She especially likes that word -- "serious." It's easy for the owners to understand. She follows the words with a hug. You have to do that type of thing as an emergency vet. That's why, in the course of Kunz's career, no one has ever accused her of cruelty. No one has ever sued her. In fact, owners have always used the same two words whenever she's had to destroy their horse.

"Thank you."