Preakness Stakes Weekend Begins with Tragedy

The Preakness Stakes, a highly anticipated event in the Triple Crown series, encountered a tragic event that overshadowed the excitement of the weekend. This year’s race takes place at Laurel Park due to renovations at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore. However, on Friday, a horse named Hit Zero collapsed and died shortly after finishing his first race.

Trained by Brittany Russell, Hit Zero was seen as a favorite, yet he ended up finishing last behind his stablemate, Bold Fact. As he crossed the finish line, he reportedly began coughing, collapsed to his knees, and sadly passed away.

According to Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer for 1/ST Racing, “After finishing the race, the horse was unsaddled and began to return to the barn, where he collapsed and ultimately died a fatal sudden death.” It’s suggested that such incidents can be linked to heart disease, though the exact cause won’t be confirmed until an autopsy is completed.

This sort of news is certainly unwelcome and raises ongoing concerns about the welfare of racehorses. Dr. Benson emphasized that while events like this are tragic, fatalities in horse racing are, in fact, quite rare. She mentions that fewer than 1% of races see such fatalities, and any horse that dies suddenly at a Maryland racetrack undergoes an autopsy. These investigations aim to prevent future occurrences.

However, the challenge remains that identifying the cause in cases of sudden death can be complicated, especially when it comes to conditions that might not leave clear signs in the aftermath.

The Preakness Stakes event is still poised to take place on Saturday, but this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in the sport.