4-year-old gelding is euthanized after injury in Belmont finale

Elmont, N.Y. 

Excursionniste, a 4-year-old gelding who was in his 17th race, broke down turning out of the backstretch at Belmont Park and was euthanized on the inner turf course after Saturday’s last race on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

“Devastated,” a Tweet said from owner Joe Tartaglia’s Little Blue Bird Stables. “There’s just no other word, He was our big, goofy, talented, crazy, 1-for-16 New York-bred superstar. We do everything as a team and will console as one for quite a while.”

The son of Tourist was trained by Mark Hennig and was being ridden by Flavien Prat when the mishap took place.

“Excursionniste sustained a catastrophic injury to his left-front leg,” a New York Racing Association statement said. “Despite the immediate response and best efforts of on-site attending veterinarians, the horse was humanely euthanized due to the severity of the injury.”

According to NYRA, three horses have died as a result of racing injuries since the current Belmont Park meet began May 4. The meet “has featured 1,662 horses starting in 213 races,” the statement said. “NYRA will closely review the circumstances around this incident in conjunction with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the New York State Gaming Commission and New York state equine medical director.”

Prat walked away from the accident unhurt, Daily Racing Form reported.

Excursionniste had a racing record of 17: 1-2-1 with purse earnings of $139,470.

The breakdown happened about 45 minutes after the Belmont Stakes was run and won by Arcangelo. Excursionniste was one of four horses who died from injuries suffered this spring in races on the three Triple Crown cards.