The group behind the push to ban horse carriages on Big Apple streets now wants a stop to all horse racing in New York following the deaths of two horses before Saturday’s Preakness Stakes.
“In light of the deaths of two races horses at Maryland’s Pimlico Race Course this weekend, I am writing to ask that you immediately suspend all horse racing in New York state indefinitely, including the upcoming Belmont Stakes, until you and racing advocates can actually protect the lives of horses,” NYCLASS executive director Allie Taylor said in a letter being sent to New York Racing Association president Chris Kay.
Homeboykris, a 9-year-old geld, collapsed after the first race Saturday and died. Then Pramedya, a 4-year-old Philly, collapsed on the final turn of the fourth race after fracturing a leg. She was euthanized.
The Preakness is the second race of the Triple Crown, followed by the Belmont Stakes.