Autopsy out on Eight Belles

The autopsy (called necropsy by the horse reporters, and we don't know why) report on Eights Belles the filly who broke down at the Kentucky Derby after a second place finish came out today.  Nothing remarkable with the horses bone structure.  The toxicology report will be out later looking at immediate steroids (which of course will not tell you about lifetime history of steroid use).  From the AP:

An autopsy reveals that euthanized filly Eight Belles had no pre-existing bone abnormalities that caused her to break down after the Kentucky Derby.

The tests were performed by chief Kentucky veterinarian Lafe Nichols. It confirms compound fractures of both front legs at the fetlock joints.

The autopsy didn't include results of post-race drug tests. It will be several days before those are available. Eight Belles' trainer, Larry Jones, has requested additional tests to prove the filly wasn't on steroids.

Eight Belles was euthanized on the track at Churchill Downs after the Derby when she broke down while jogging about a quarter-mile past the finish line. She finished second to Big Brown in the race.

 

OK, so why did this filly break both ankles.  Someone needs to look at the medical and drug history of the horse.