The contrast was almost too much to take.

On Saturday, Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby in commanding fashion, defying mountains of history by winning from the twenty hole and overcoming a lack of experience that many commentators said was insurmountable. If it wasn’t for the tragedy that befell second place finisher Eight Belles in the moments after she crossed the finish line, America would be buzzing today about the possibility of the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

But the images of Eight Belles after she suffered the fatal fractures of both front legs will be seared into American memories, just as the images of Barbaro breaking down at the Preakness have been.

Much has already been written about Eight Belles’ injury, some of it particularly outrageous. But it’s clear now more than 24 hours after the race that horse racing has a serious problem.

According to Washington Post columnist Andy Beyer, who has covered horse racing for decades, it’s common knowledge within racing circles that horses have become more and more fragile as breeders have chosen speed over soundness and stamina. Indeed, Beyer himself has written about it many times.

But after two tragedies in two years in the only races that most Americans watch, it’s now common knowledge in every household, and it will dominate the discussion over the coming weeks as Big Brown pursues the Triple Crown. Some will insist that synthetic track is the answer. Others will attack the sport as inhumane.

The reality is that very little can be done.

In the days after Barbaro’s injury, I wrote that, “Barbaro’s devastating injury prompts a question: with the risks so high for man and horse, why do it at all?

“But the answer is simple, and it’s a fundamental element of being for these fine horses. Thoroughbreds are born to run. If they weren’t racing each other around the track, they’d be racing each other around the pasture. Running is their nature, coded into every fiber of their being by their DNA.”

Nothing about thoroughbred DNA has changed in the last two years. Great horses are still born to run, just as Eight Belles was.

And if you don’t believe me, consider her performance in the Derby. In the parlance of handicappers, she was clearly second best, dusting the third place horse by nearly 3 lengths, and coming in behind only Big Brown. By doing so, Eight Belles belies any suggestion that she ought not to have been in the race at all. She dueled with the boys, and bested all save one.

So we are left, as ever, with a simple choice. Do we celebrate these animals and their special gifts? Or do we take extreme measures and return them to their pastures and stalls?

I don’t believe we can protect them from their own nature. Great horses will run. There is no sin in watching them do so.

But we can and should do everything in our power to make it as safe as possible. If synthetic surfaces reduce injuries, every track should follow Keeneland’s lead and install them. If there’s more than can be done, the industry should do it. Our pleasure shouldn’t come at these beautiful creatures’ expense.

Needless to say, there has been a tremendous amount of coverage on this. I submit a few must-read items for your consideration:

The indispensable Andy Beyer’s post-race column. Keep checking back on his index page here in the coming days. For my money, when it comes to horse racing, there’s no better or more insightful commentator.

The normally annoying Sally Jenkins wrote a good column that really makes my point better than I can.

Superb on-going coverage from the New York Times’ horse racing blog, The Rail.

Sadness and defensiveness from local Kentucky columnists.