Preakness weekend got off to a grim start Friday when a Maryland-bred colt running in the day’s first race at Laurel Park collapsed and died of “an apparent cardiac event” shortly after crossing the finish line, the Maryland Racing Commission said.

Hit Zero, a 3-year-old making his debut, was trained by Brittany Russell, who will saddle Taj Mahal in Saturday’s Preaknes Stakes, and ridden by her husband, Sheldon Russell, who will ride Taj Mahal.

“The Equine Medical Director attended to Hit Zero and has initiated a full post-incident review consistent with Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Equine Fatality Reporting Requirements,” the racing commission said in a statement confirming the death. “A necropsy will be conducted and cause of death will not be confirmed until necropsy findings have been reviewed and verified. The Commission has initiated all required review and investigation protocols in response to the death of Hit Zero. We recognize the significance of this loss and are committed to conducting a thorough, transparent process.”

Deaths and breakdowns have marred past Preakness weekends, most famously when Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro fractured his right hind leg during the 2006 Preakness and was euthanized the following January because of complications from laminitis.

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In 2019, 3-year-old filly Congrats Gal collapsed and died from a heart attack shortly after completing the Miss Preakness Stakes on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard.

In 2016, two horses, Homeboykris (cardiovascular collapse) and Pramedya (fractured leg), died on Preakness day.

The racing industry has long faced sharp criticism from animal rights activists, legislators and everyday fans over the prevalence of horse deaths.

Congress created the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority in 2020 to bring uniform regulations to the sport in hopes of reducing deaths and injuries. In the first quarter of 2026, the authority reported a fatality rate of .95 per 1,000 starts at tracks operating under its rules, including Laurel Park. That was down from a rate of 1.04 racing-related deaths per 1,000 starts in 2025.

“The data contained in this year’s report shows that uniform national safety standards are working,” authority CEO Lisa Lazarus said. “We are encouraged by the progress and remain deeply committed to building on these gains in collaboration with racetracks, regulatory partners and industry stakeholders.”

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A Preakness spokesperson noted that the Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing, which operates the Preakness, have collaborated on multiple studies of the causes of sudden equine deaths since 2020.

While touting the industry’s progress, however, stakeholders have consistently said there’s no way to eradicate deaths entirely.