Calls echo for investigation of trainer after 2 horses die at Belmont Park in 24 hours after Belmont Stakes
ELMONT, N.Y. -- Horse racing has been in the national spotlight since 12 horses died at Churchill Downs earlier this spring, including two on Kentucky Derby day.
Now, there are concerns in our own backyard as two race horses died at Belmont Park over the weekend, just after the famed Belmont Stakes.
There were subdued horse stalls amid heartbreak at Belmont following a weekend filled with fanfare. Crowds celebrated special drinks and prize-winning Fascinator hats, honoring the 155th running of the Triple Crown stakes race.
"There is a magnifying glass on the Belmont right now because of mistakes," said John DiLeonardo, an anthrozoologist at Humane Long Island. "I think there should be an investigation of this trainer. One of these horses had broken her leg before."
Sadly, two horses had to be euthanized -- first on Saturday, Mashnee Girl, and the second on Sunday, Excursionniste. Both suffered catastrophic leg injuries on the inner and main turf courses. Both had the same trainer, Mark Hennig.
A colleague of Hennig's said his stable is devastated. Both were healthy-legged horses with clean bills of health and had no concerns for racing.
In statement, Hennig said, "We always put the horse first and I have a clear conscience that we brought very sound individuals to run this weekend. Thank God both riders were not injured. I trust NYRA will examine the turf course to ensure maximum safety.
NYRA said it did and it's safe.
"It's a highly unusual set of circumstances. However, it's incumbent on NYRA to continue to analyze and review these incidents to ensure we are providing the safest possible environment for racing and training at Belmont Park," a NYRA spokesperson said.
PETA, however, is demanding action.
"Belmont Park really needs to suspend races and get safety protocols in place. It is very clear that what they have done so far is inadequate," senior VP Kathy Guillermo said.
Jena Antonucci, the first woman trainer to win a Triple Crown race, made history hours before the Hennig horse deaths.
"As hard as it was to wrap emotion around our amazing accomplishment, it is equally as difficult to wrap around those profound losses. We have continued and continue to push to do better," said Antonucci, trainer of Belmont Stakes winner Archangelo.
The horses' necropsies are being preformed at Cornell University.