A somber note marked the opening of Preakness weekend at Laurel Park. On Friday, May 15, 2026, during Black-Eyed Susan Day, a young thoroughbred named Hit Zero crossed the finish line in his debut race only to collapse moments later. Veterinary staff responded right away, but nothing could be done. The three-year-old colt suffered what officials described as a cardiac event, cutting short what should have been the start of a racing career.
This happened at Laurel Park, which stepped in to host the Preakness festivities while Pimlico undergoes renovations. The timing added weight to an already emotional stretch in Maryland racing. Fans and participants arrived expecting celebration, yet the day began with this sudden loss.
What happened in the race itself
You watched the 6-furlong maiden sprint play out under typical spring conditions at the track. Hit Zero went off as the favorite but finished last among the field. Right after the wire, he started coughing. Witnesses saw him drop to his knees and then go down completely. The collapse came fast, leaving little time for intervention.
Track personnel moved quickly to the scene. The Maryland Racing Commission later confirmed the apparent cardiac cause. A necropsy will provide more details in the coming days. For those who followed the race, the shift from routine finish to tragedy felt abrupt and final.
The horse and his connections
Hit Zero carried the hopes of a small ownership group that included ItsTheJHoLL and Evan Trommer. The name itself came from a personal cheer associated with the family. Trainer Brittany Russell prepared him for this debut, the same trainer who sent out the winner of that very race, Bold Fact. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. rode him through the short sprint…