2 Horses Die in First 4 Races on Preakness Day Undercard

Homeboykris died after win; Pramedya euthanized after breaking leg

In a tragic start to Preakness day, two horses died at Pimlico Race Course and a jockey broke a collarbone after a spill on a damp, rainy Saturday.

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 had rallied to win the race by a half-length. But after having his picture taken in the winner's circle, he collapsed and died. 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.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has called on the owners of the horses to release veterinary records and a complete list of medications that the horses were administered in the two weeks before the Preakness races.

In a statement, PETA spokesman David W. Perle alleges that studies and investigations by the animal rights group "have shown that most breakdowns and deaths occur because horses have pre-existing injuries that are masked by the excessive use of legal medications. We want to know if that is what happened in the cases of Pramedya and Homeboykris," he added.

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.

Later Saturday, Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist will take on 10 rivals in the Preakness Stakes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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