Racehorse Hit Zero Dies After Debut at Laurel Park During Preakness Weekend
Thoroughbred racehorse Hit Zero died shortly after his debut race at Laurel Park in Maryland during the 2026 Preakness Stakes weekend. The three-year-old colt, trained by Brittany Russell, collapsed from a suspected cardiac event despite immediate veterinary care. A necropsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. This tragedy occurred while Laurel Park temporarily hosted major races due to renovations at Pimlico Race Course, reigniting scrutiny over equine safety in horse racing amidst historical concerns about fatalities at Maryland tracks.
Editorial summary awaiting refresh
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Thoroughbred Hit Zero Dies After Debut Race on Black-Eyed Susan Day
A three-year-old thoroughbred named Hit Zero died shortly after making his racing debut on Black-Eyed Susan Day, a major prelude event to the Preakness Stakes. The incident occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Laurel Park in Maryland, which temporarily hosts the races due to renovations at the traditional venue, Pimlico Race Course. Hit Zero, trained by Brittany Russell, was the favorite in the opening Maiden Claiming race but finished last before collapsing and passing away from a sudden medical event. The horse's owner, Justin Horowitz, announced the tragedy on Instagram, noting the heartbreaking timing as it coincided with his son's sixth birthday. The horse was named after a cheerleading term honoring Horowitz's daughter, Bailey, who was present at the track. While horse racing fatalities draw significant scrutiny, reports indicate that deaths at Pimlico have been rare in recent years, with only two incidents since 2022. This event highlights the inherent risks in thoroughbred racing even during high-profile meets involving prominent trainers and owners.
yahoo sportsHit Zero Owner Defends Care After Horse's Death at Laurel Park
Justin Horowitz, owner of the three-year-old racehorse Hit Zero, stated he does not question the care his horse received before its sudden death at Laurel Park. The colt, named after his daughter Bailey’s cheerleading term for a perfect routine, died shortly after finishing last in his debut race on Black-Eyed Susan Day. Officials labeled the incident a cardiac event, and a necropsy is pending to determine the exact cause. Horowitz had waited nearly 19 months for the horse’s first run, during which trainer Brittany Russell carefully managed the animal’s maturation. The tragedy occurred as Laurel Park temporarily hosted major racing events due to redevelopment at Pimlico Race Course. Horowitz described the shock of receiving the news while celebrating with his family, noting that while he understood the risks of horse racing, the loss was unexpected and devastating. Despite the poor performance in the race, where the horse appeared to run out of energy, Horowitz maintains confidence in the veterinary and training team led by Russell and her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell.
yahoo sportsDebutant Colt Hit Zero Dies After Race at Laurel Park Before Preakness
A three-year-old colt named Hit Zero died shortly after completing his racing debut in the first race at Laurel Park in Maryland on Friday, May 15, 2026. The incident occurred just one day before the prestigious Preakness Stakes was scheduled to take place at the same venue. According to the Maryland Racing Commission, the horse suffered an apparent cardiac event, although the official cause of death will remain pending until necropsy results are reviewed. Hit Zero, who was the favorite in the six-furlong race, was eased toward the finish line and ended up well behind the other competitors. The colt was trained by Brittany Russell, whose husband Sheldon served as the jockey for the race. Russell also trains Taj Mahal, a top contender for the upcoming Preakness. The horse was owned by ItsTheJHo, LLC and Evan Trommer. In response to the fatality, the Commission announced that it has initiated all required review and investigation protocols, emphasizing its commitment to a thorough and transparent process regarding the significant loss.
yahoo sportsHorse Dies After Collapsing Post-Race at Laurel Park During Preakness Weekend
A tragic incident occurred during the Black-Eyed Susan day card at Laurel Park in Maryland, marking a somber start to Preakness weekend. The racehorse Hit Zero, ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Brittany Russell, collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line. Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Veterinary Officer, reported that the horse began coughing before falling to its knees and collapsing. While such symptoms often indicate heart issues, officials stated there is currently no evidence confirming this diagnosis. A full necropsy is scheduled to determine the precise cause of death. The event was held at Laurel Park due to ongoing renovations at its traditional venue, Pimlico Race Course. This incident recalls previous fatalities at Pimlico, including the deaths of Congrats Gal in 2019, and Homeboykris and Pramedya in 2016. The article highlights ongoing concerns regarding equine safety in horse racing, particularly at venues with a history of such incidents, while providing specific details on the immediate medical response and investigative steps taken by authorities following Hit Zero's death.
New York PostHorse Dies After Opening Race at Laurel Park During Preakness Weekend
A thoroughbred horse named Hit Zero died following the first race at Laurel Park in Maryland as Preakness Stakes weekend festivities commenced. The horse, trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by her husband Sheldon Russell, could not be saved by veterinary staff despite immediate response. Maryland racing officials announced that a necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, with findings to be reported under HISA disclosure requirements. Later in the day, a separate incident during Race 5 involved a collision between horses Long Straw and Typhoon Kuhn, which unseated jockey Carlos Lopez; both horses were reported fine, and the jockey walked away with minor pain. This tragedy occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny for Laurel Park, which has previously canceled racing weekends due to multiple fatal injuries and surface issues. The track is currently hosting races while Pimlico Race Course undergoes renovation. Historical context notes previous fatalities during Preakness weekends in 2019 and 2016, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the sport.
yahoo sports