5-year-old mare is euthanized after 1st race at Belmont

Mashnee Girl, a 5-year-old mare, was euthanized Sunday after taking a bad step in the first race at Belmont Park and falling in the final turn on the outer turf track.

She sustained a catastrophic injury to her left front leg, according to a statement from the New York Racing Association. Despite the immediate response and best efforts of on-site attending veterinarians, the horse was humanely euthanized because the severity of the injury. Jockey Jose Lezcano was cleared to ride after visiting first aid.

A necropsy will be performed at Cornell University with the results to be analyzed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority officials as well as the New York state equine medical director, NYRA said. In addition, NYRA, HISA and the New York State Gaming Commission will closely review the circumstances around this incident to ensure the safest possible environment for racing and training at Belmont Park, according to the statement.

Sired by Air Force Blue, Mashnee Girl was trained by Mark Hennig and owned and bred by Mashnee Stables. She was winless in two previous starts this year and had a career record of 19: 3-0-2 with earnings of $194,065.

NYRA said four horses have incurred fatal injuries during racing at the 2023 Belmont Park spring-summer meet, which began May 4 and has had 1,670 horses start in 214 races.

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