BALTIMORE — Two horses died at racetracks owned by the Stronach Group on Friday, keeping the issue of animal cruelty in horse racing in the public eye on the eve of one of the biggest days in horse racing. It was a hot day, with temperatures in the low 80s, and the rider for Congrats Gal, Trevor McCarthy, told officials that the filly was hot. When she seemed to lose steam in the stretch, McCarthy eased up on her and coasted to the finish line. “Congrats Gal suffered sudden death after the eighth race today,” the Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico, said in a statement, without giving a cause of death. Our thoughts go out to all of the owners, trainers and connections of Congrats Gal.”

Source: New York Times May 18, 2019 03:35 UTC