Two Horses Die in Opening Four Races on the Undercard to the Preakness

It was an awful and tragic start to the undercard races at the Preakness today at the Pimlico Race Course, as the Associated Press reports that two horses died and a jockey broke a collarbone after a spill.

Here’s the story on the events, which took place on a damp track:

Pramedya broke down around the turn in the fourth race, tumbled to the ground as jockey Daniel Centeno was thrown to the turf. Pimlico racing officials said the 4-year-old filly was euthanized on the track after breaking her left front cannon bone.

Centeno was driven off in ambulance. Officials said he broke his right collarbone.

In the opening race of the day, Homeboykris collapsed and died after winning and having his picture taken in the winner’s circle. Track officials believe the 9-year-old gelding suffered cardiovascular collapse.

The horse will be taken to New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania for an autopsy. Homeboykris won the Champagne Stakes in 2009, and a year later finished 16th in the Kentucky Derby. He had just won his 14th race in 63 career starts.

Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist takes on 10 rivals in the Preakness Stakes later on Saturday afternoon.