Nov 7, 2008 00:00
Boxers are supposed to never come back, though some have, for better and for worse. Horses, with no notion of glory or lucrative contracts, are another matter. If injury intervenes, the memory and associations of pain can linger, and compromise an animal's willingness to compete. Nearly all horses will give of their best if they are not hurting physically or mentally, Duke Of Marmalade being a remarkable example this season. Freed of discomfort after two screws in a pastern, put there to repair a fracture, were realigned, he was able to fulfil his proper, glorious potential.