Exercise right of refusal.(The Dallas Morning News)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. _ Horse racing has been spared the sad spectacle of Tincin's participation in Saturday's 127th Kentucky Derby. Steve Larue, Tincin's trainer, announced earlier this week that the maiden, who wisely has developed a cough, will not be entered.

But Tincin's flirtation with the Derby raises the question of how to balance three values that sometimes find themselves in conflict _ equality, freedom and safety. The Tincin tale also suggests that horse racing generally, and Churchill Downs in particular, might consider taking steps to preclude such potentially embarrassing situations.

Tincin has raced seven times and been beaten by a total of nearly 130 lengths. His best performance was a fifth-place finish at Turfway Park, where he was beaten by only six lengths. Notwithstanding Larue's belief that the son of Discover has improved sharply in recent weeks, Tincin almost certainly would have finished last in the Kentucky Derby.

Horse racing is the most democratic of sports. It might be called the sport of kings, but in truth, it's a sport of both princes and paupers. Participation isn't restricted to the blue bloods or the extravagantly wealthy. And the Kentucky Derby is open to all 3-year-olds whose owners put up the $600 nomination fee, the $15,000 entry fee and the $15,000 starter's fee.

Although there are many preps for the Triple Crown, there are no qualifying requirements, no trials. The field is limited to 20 starters based on earnings in graded stakes, but if the entry box doesn't overflow, then even a horse with a history of woeful performances can line up in the starting gate for the most famous of races.

Owners and trainers, of course, are free to manage and race their horses as they choose. As long as horsemen abide by the rules of racing, they're free to train and race their horses as they choose. And that's as it should be.

But should the safety of horses such as Tincin be sacrificed to the values of equality and freedom? Quite simply, it is unkind, even cruel in some cases, to overmatch a racehorse. Since the 18th century, racehorses have been bred not only for speed and stamina, but also for courage and competitiveness. ...