Euphoria & Tragedy in the Bluegrass State

I watched the pre-Derby show on NBC today.  Stories were told of triumphs of the human spirit and of the love of horses.  As the race started I was cheering on Big Brown.  Mostly because he was the oddest combination of favorite (5-2 odds) and underdog (20th pole position).  And because his owner, Rick Dutrow, Jr. had overcome tremendous personal odds to earn his place at Churchill Downs.  And because the jockey, Kent Desormeaux, was on his way to a third win at the Ketucky Derby with his physically challenged son watching for the first time. 
As the race started I realized I had never sat down and actually watched the horses run.  The physical pressure put on the animals is so disturbing.  Pounding, panting and sweating, the jockeys maneuver he horses around a mile of track.  Some find it a beautiful sport...I had to turn away.  With good reason, it turns out.
Big Brown won by 5-1/2 lengths.  A decisive victory.  Eight Belles came in second.  And as she galloped to a stop she broke both front ankles and had to be euthanized on the track.  Where is the sport in that?