Belmont Employee Released Horse And Caused Its Death: DA

ELMONT, NY — A former employee of the backstretch at the Belmont Park race track was indicted today on charges that he intentionally released a horse, which led to its death.

Ramzan Antooa, 38, of Elmont, was arraigned on charges of second-degree grand larceny, third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree aggravated harassment, interference with or injury to certain domestic animals and petty larceny. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Nov. 19. If convicted of the top charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

“This defendant is accused of releasing a young racehorse named Pasta from her stall, causing the horse to become frightened and run onto blacktop where she fell and died a painful death,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “Every animal deserves to be treated with care and compassion, and my Animal Crimes Unit remains committed to prosecuting this and all of our animal crimes cases.”

According to Singas, on July 30, Antooa entered stable 22 at Belmont Park and released Pasta, a 2-year-old female race horse. This spooked the horse, Singas said, and Pasta ran around the barn and then out onto a blacktop area, where she fell and broke her leg. The break caused her to bleed profusely, Singas said, and she died shortly after the fall. Pasta was valued at more than $200,000.

Singas said that Antooa released Pasta in retaliation for being fired.