The Black-Eyed Susan day card had a tragic outcome.
Hit Zero, a horse ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., collapsed shortly after crossing the finish line at Laurel Park in Maryland during the Preakness weekend event.
Dr. Dionne Benson, the Chief Veterinary Officer, told WBAL-TV that the horse “started coughing, went down to his knees and collapsed.”
Benson noted that it is typically a sign of a heart problem but added that there is no evidence of that at this time.
Bold Fact received medical attention after an injury and later died. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Officials said that a full necropsy of Hit Zero, which was trained by Brittany Russell, will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
The Black-Eyed Susan event is typically held at Pimlico, but renovations to the storied track led to a venue change.
Pimlico has had a history of horse racing-related deaths.
In 2019, Congrats Gal collapsed and died while running in the Miss Preakness Stakes on the Friday before the Preakness.
An equine ambulance stands by at Laurel Park ahead of the 102nd running of the Black-Eyed Susan horse race, Friday, May 15, 2026. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
That horse faltered in the final stretch and was eased across the finish line before dying.
Two horses also died in 2016, with Homeboykris collapsing on the way to the barn after celebrating a victory in the winner’s circle of the first race of the day as a 9/1 underdog.
Later that day, Pramedya suffered a catastrophic broken left front leg and was euthanized on the track.
Jockey Daniel Centeno was left with a broken right collarbone in that fall.
