Horses die in fire

The New York Racing Association said two horses died as the result of a fire on the backstretch at Belmont Park track yesterday. NYRA said it responded to a barn fire at 6.05pm and that 58 of the 60 horses under the care of trainers Wayne Potts and Jeffrey Englehart were safely evacuated. Two of Potts’ horses died in the fire, according to NYRA, which reported no injuries to its employees or barn staff. NYRA said the blaze was contained to one barn after the Elmont Fire Department extinguished the fire and contained the scene within minutes.