Churchill 5th.. 12yo mare off 9 year layoff?

[Mike]

I think that entry in the Breeder's Cup a half-dozen years ago (can't remember the winless(?) horse's name) was far worse than this for the "respectability" of the business

Horses are breakind down on tracks all the time, and eauthanized.

I imagine the old mare will simply be outrun, just as I would if I raced a 20 year old track star. But I wouldn't die as a result

As long as the horse isn't souped up in some mannner(though even that seems acceptable in horse racing), is there a reason to think the horse is going to die?