Fence planned for MGM Northfield Park racetrack retention pond after horse drowns

MGM Northfield Park is building a fence around the water retention pond in the center of its racetrack after a colt drowned there this week.

Alfred Hanover, a 2-year-old colt racing in the Buckeye Stallion Series, had finished second in his race on Monday evening.

But after the race, he broke free from his harness, got away from his handler and ran to a nearby water retention pond, where he drowned, said Dara Cohen, the director of regional corporate communications for MGM Resorts.

“We are deeply saddened by racehorse Alfred Hanover’s passing and extend our condolences to his owner, trainer and all involved,” said Matt Buckley, the general manager of MGM Northfield Park.

Northfield Park officials said the fence around the retention pond is expected to be completed next week.

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The remaining races Monday evening were canceled. According to the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, live racing was scheduled to resume Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m.

Ron Burke, who trained the Standardbred colt, could not be reached for comment. Burke Stables is in Pennsylvania.

Burke was recently inducted into the Washington-Greene Co. Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, according to information from Harnesslink.com

Past drowning, close call, recalled at race track

This was not the first time a horse has drowned in the retention pond at the Northfield racetrack, said Freddie Hudson of the U.S. Harness Racing Alumni Association.

Hudson said that no more than three years ago, a horse had broken free and ran into the retention pond, where it drowned.

Several months later, another horse broke free and headed to the retention pond but that horse was saved, he said.

During this week's drowning, one of the tractors spooked Alfred Hanover while the race bike was being detached, Hudson said. The horse then broke free and ran into the retention pond.

"One problem that probably occurred is he was wearing hobbles," Hudson said. "Most pacers wear hobbles, and that probably kept him from being able to swim."

Hobbles are connected loops that tie a horse's front legs loosely together.

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Marty Irby, the executive director at Animal Wellness Action, said in a written statement sent Tuesday the the organization is  "saddened to see yet another racehorse death in the world of harness racing."

The group called on the U.S. Trotting Association and its members to join in supporting the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.

This act creates a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, a private self-regulatory organization tasked with developing rules related to horseracing, including anti-doping, medication control and racetrack safety rules.

"Where else would we tolerate any athlete drowning during a sporting event without a serious investigation?" Irby asked. "The authorities should investigate this incident."

Safety officials from the village of Northfield, where the racetrack is located, could not be reached for comment.

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Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Fence planned for retention pond after colt drowns at Northfield MGM