ELMONT, NEW YORK - JUNE 10: Arcangelo with Javier Castellano up wins the 155th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 10, 2023 in Elmont, New York.
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)Horses died in consecutive races at Belmont Park, dealing more untimely blows to the beleaguered sport which had little time to celebrate of its most uplifting events of the year.
"Two dead Thoroughbreds in two days with the same trainer on the same track means one thing: Belmont Park is failing to protect horses," PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo said in a statement.
Including Mashnee Girl and Excursionniste, four horses have died during races at Belmont Park's spring/summer meet, which began on May 4 and has encompassed 1,670 horses starting in 214 races, according to McKenna.
Saturday's Belmont Stakes capped a tumultuous five weeks of racing that normally shines a bright light on the sport of kings.
Persons:
Javier Castellano, Al Bello, Mark Hennig, Patrick McKenna, Hennig, Excursionniste, Arcangelo, Belmont, Kathy Guillermo, McKenna, Havnameltdown, Chick Lang
Organizations:
Belmont Park, York Racing, NBC News, Belmont, Triple, PETA, Kentucky Derby, National Treasure, Preakness
Locations:
Belmont, Elmont , New York, Belmont Park, New York City, Jena, Churchill Downs, Baltimore