Re 'Eight Belles' fall rings public alarm' (editorial, May 6):What happened to Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby was a high-profile freak accident. She galloped out a quarter mile off the rail before collapsing. Dr. Larry Bramlage, an on-call veterinarian, looked at the track where she fell and could not find it at fault.

Why Eight Belles? Why other ill-fated horses such as Charismatic, Demons Begone, Flip Sal, Go for Wand, Landaluce, Ruffian and Exceller?

I agree, there are problems with current breeding programs. Once, horses could not run four times in a month and stay sound.

But the editorial failed to mention how the industry is trying to change the tracks. What about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, which saves former race horses from slaughter?

Horses carry close to 2,000 pounds on small, spindly legs. Eight Belles was a tragic loss, but not because of ignorance.