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The 2023 Belmont Stakes, won by Arcangelo, marked a historic moment for trainer Jena Antonucci. She is the first female trainer to claim a Triple Crown title. The loss of horses' lives this racing season almost overshadowed the milestone.

Two horses lost their lives due to catastrophic injuries sustained during races following the highly anticipated Belmont Stakes.

 Excursionniste, a horse that led at the quarter-mile mark and was in second place during the 13th and final race at Belmont Park, suffered a devastating injury to its left front leg and was euthanized.

 The following day, Mashnee Girl also suffered a catastrophic injury to her left front leg during a race at Belmont, leading to her untimely euthanasia.

According to the AP, Excursionniste is the third and Mashnee became the fourth horse to die at Belmont Park this year.

Churchill Downs suspended operations through the end of the Spring Meet schedule leading up to and during the Kentucky Derby where 12 horses died at the racetrack. And another horse died the morning of the Preakness Stakes. Along with the two losses at Belmont.

These unfortunate incidents have sparked concerns about the safety and well-being of horses in the sport of horse racing.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) confirmed the devastating news of the horses' deaths. NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna stated that despite the immediate response and best efforts of on-site attending veterinarians, the severity of the injuries left no choice but to humanely euthanize the horses. 

2023 Belmont stakes highs and lows

PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, criticized the racing industry for its failure to ensure the safety of the horses, advocating for stricter measures such as requiring CT scans to screen for preexisting injuries before races.

 PETA called for an immediate suspension of racing at Belmont Park, stating that two horse deaths in two days with the same trainer on the same track reflect a failure to protect horses. The organization drew parallels to Churchill Downs.

In a sport that depends on the health of the horses, it is important to protect them. Only through such concerted efforts can the racing community work towards a future where tragic incidents become a thing of the past.