2 horses die at Belmont; NYRA reviews training procedures

The New York Racing Association said it would review how it runs morning workouts after two horses died from their injuries in a Saturday collision at Belmont Park.

Two-year-old gelding Silent Scheme, trained by Mark Henning, got loose on the training track, according to a NYRA news release Saturday afternoon. He ran into 3-year-old filly More for Sure, trained by Tony Dutrow.

“As a result of the collision, Silent Scheme sustained a broken neck and died instantly,” the news release said. “More for Sure sustained a catastrophic injury to the left shoulder and was humanely euthanized.”

Neither exercise rider was injured. Both walked off the track on their own, according to NYRA.

An on-call veterinarian and safety stewards responded right away, the news release said.

“NYRA will closely review the circumstances around this incident with all relevant parties to ensure NYRA is providing the safest possible environment for training at Belmont Park.”

Necropsies were referred routinely to Cornell University, NYRA said.

According to a New York State Gaming Commission database and Saturday’s news release, five horses who trained at NYRA tracks died since the end of the Saratoga summer meet. Silver Skillet, trained by Miguel Clément, reared, collapsed and suffered sudden death in her Belmont Barn after galloping Sept. 15. Uncle Hulka, trained by Chad Brown, was euthanized after flipping over and suffering a head injury on the way to Sept. 20 track work at Saratoga. Chess Master, trained by Jorge Abreu, collapsed and died coming off the Belmont training track Oct. 3.