Former backstretch worker charged in death of filly at Belmont Park
An unraced 2-year-old filly trained by Christophe Clement suffered fatal injuries Thursday night when she was deliberately released from her stall at Belmont Park by a former backstretch employee, ran loose on the road outside the barn, and fell, according to the Nassau County (N.Y.) police and the New York State Gaming Commission.
Pasta, a French-bred 2-year-old filly by Frankel, suffered injuries in the fall that necessitated euthanasia, according to a post on the gaming commission website.
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The filly was let out of her stall by Ramzan Antooa, 38, who was arrested and charged with burglary in the 3rd degree and reckless endangerment of property, according to Nassau County police. Antooa, who was not permitted to be in the barn, according to police, was arraigned on Friday in Mineola and was freed without bail, according to Newsday. Antooa is due back in court on Sept. 21, the newspaper said.
Clement said he has a meeting with Nassau police on Tuesday and declined comment until then.
Pat McKenna, spokesman for the New York Racing Association, said, “The New York Racing Association Inc. immediately referred this incident to the Nassau County Police Department and we continue to assist their ongoing investigation into this criminal matter.”