Belmont Park, the recent host of the 155th Belmont Stakes, witnessed the heartbreaking euthanasia of two horses over the weekend. The first incident occurred on Saturday, just after the concluding race of the Belmont Stakes event. Excursionniste suffered a severe injury, necessitating euthanasia. This tragic event marks a horse fatality at each of the Triple Crown race venues this year, including Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby) and Pimlico Race Course (Preakness Stakes).

The second tragedy unfolded on Sunday when Mashnee Girl sustained a catastrophic injury to her left front leg during a race. According to the New York Racing Association, the injury was similar to the one that led to Excursionniste's demise.

Following Saturday's incident, PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo issued a statement criticizing Belmont Park for not doing enough to prevent Excursionniste's death. She highlighted PETA's prior recommendation to the New York Racing Association and the New York State Gaming Commission, urging pre-race CT scans for all horses to detect pre-existing injuries, a factor often contributing to such fatalities. Their refusal, she argued, contributed to this outcome.

These incidents follow a series of horse deaths at Churchill Downs, prompting the suspension of all racing activities until July 3rd. Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanien expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the track's commitment to safety and ongoing efforts to investigate the causes and reinforce safety protocols.

Earlier this year, Havnameltdown, a horse trained by Bob Baffert, was euthanized at Pimlico Race Course after suffering an injury during a race preceding the Preakness Stakes.