Racehorse Hit Zero Dies After Collapsing at Laurel Park

A 3-year-old colt named Hit Zero collapsed and died shortly after finishing the first race at Laurel Park on Friday. The horse had been eased in the final stages of the six-furlong maiden claimer and finished last. Hit Zero was trained by Brittany Russell and owned by ItsTheJHo LLC and Evan Trommer.

The Maryland Racing Commission said the death appeared to be a cardiac event and initiated a full post-incident review.

The incident occurred on Black-Eyed Susan Day, the day before the Preakness Stakes. Laurel Park is hosting the weekend races while Pimlico Race Course undergoes a $400 million renovation. The Maryland Racing Commission stated that a necropsy will be conducted and findings will be reported according to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority requirements.

Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer for 1/ST Racing, told WBAL-TV that the horse was unsaddled and walking back to the barn when it collapsed. She noted that sudden cardiac deaths can be difficult to investigate because some causes leave no detectable trace after death.

The Maryland Racing Commission said every horse that dies on a Maryland racetrack undergoes a necropsy and a follow-up meeting with the trainer. Benson stated that fatalities occur in less than 1 percent of 1 percent of races. In 2019, the filly Congrats Gal collapsed and died during the Miss Preakness Stakes at the same track.