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A tragedy unfolded in Saratoga Springs, New York during the early morning hours Tuesday.
A barn fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track killed 17 horses and injured another at approximately 2:30 am Tuesday morning.
The fire reportedly started in the backstretch area of the harness racetrack where some 350 horses are typically kept. Of the 17 horses that were killed, 11 belonged to trainer Robyn Mongiardo and six belonged to trainer Timothy Benson. One horse was able to escape.
Sam Gerrity, CEO of Saratoga Casino Hotel, said the loss was "heartbreaking for our racing community".
Henry Westbrook Jr., president of the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association, called the tragedy "a horse person's worst nightmare."
The Saratoga Casino Hotel is not related to or affiliated with Saratoga Race Course, which is located across the street and is where the Belmont Stakes have been held for the last three years while Belmont Park was under construction.
The fire was contained and did not spread to other barns.
Officials from both race tracks and emergency responders helped evacuate other horses being housed at other nearby facilities, Saratoga Casino Hotel said.
The Saratoga Casino Hotel says it plans to hold a memorial service soon. More than $50,000 (£37,000) had already been raised by Tuesday afternoon for those who lost their horses, stables and livelihood.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Mangiardi is considered one of the more successful trainers on the Saratoga harness circuit while Benson has been the leading trainer by earnings on at least three occasions (2008, 2009, and 2020).
Neither had issued a statement as of late Tuesday.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
