LAUREL, Md. — In the world of competitive cheerleading, "hitting zero" means delivering a flawless routine—no deductions, no mistakes. For 10-year-old Bailey Horowitz, that perfect score became the inspiration behind a racehorse named Hit Zero, a spirited 3-year-old colt who carried her dreams into the starting gate at Laurel Park on Black-Eyed Susan Day.
Bailey's father, Justin Horowitz, purchased the young horse in October 2024, giving him a name that would forever link father, daughter, and the sport they both loved. "I wanted my kids to fall in love with horse racing just like I did," Horowitz said, standing trackside with Bailey by his side, both dressed in bright orange to honor his alma mater, Syracuse.
The road to race day had been a long one—nearly 19 months of patience and preparation. Trainer Brittany Russell had given Hit Zero time to grow, working through the soreness that delayed his debut and carefully molding him into the racehorse she believed he could become. Friday was supposed to be the payoff, the moment when all that waiting finally paid off.
Bailey was allowed to skip school for the occasion. Her brother, AJ, celebrated his sixth birthday at the track. Sheldon Russell, Hit Zero's jockey and Brittany's husband, wore orange silks to match the family's Syracuse pride. Everything seemed perfectly aligned for a day of celebration.
This year's Black-Eyed Susan Day carried extra significance for Maryland racing. The event, along with the 151st Preakness Stakes, had moved from historic Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park while the Baltimore track undergoes a massive redevelopment. Laurel became the temporary home of the state's most prestigious racing weekend, adding an extra layer of excitement to every race.
Hit Zero entered the 6-furlong opener as the betting favorite—a horse the Horowitz family had visited at his Fair Hill Training Center stable in Elkton, watching him grow stronger with each workout. As the field turned for home, Justin Horowitz thought he saw his colt's nose edge forward. For a split second, the perfect routine seemed within reach.
"I don't question the care he received," Horowitz said, reflecting on the tragedy that followed. "From the barn to the track, everyone gave him every chance to succeed."