Overview
- Hit Zero, which collapsed Friday after finishing the opening race at Laurel Park on Black-Eyed Susan Day, died in what regulators described as an apparent cardiac event.
- Veterinary staff responded on the spot, and the Equine Medical Director began a post-incident review under national reporting rules, with a necropsy pending to confirm the cause.
- He was the betting favorite in his first start and finished last before collapsing while walking back to the barn, according to eyewitness accounts.
- Owner Justin Horowitz confirmed the death in a social media post, said the horse was named for his 10-year-old daughter, and expressed grief while affirming the care the colt received.
- Animal-welfare groups planned protests during Preakness weekend at Laurel, and veterinarians noted that sudden collapses are rare in racing and can be hard to pinpoint even after a post-mortem.