Mark J. Gerard, a veterinarian for champion horses like Kelso and Secretariat whose racetrack career was ruined when he ran a ringer in a 1977 race at Belmont Park, has died.

He was 76.

He died June 21 of complications from a stroke in Miami, according to his sister, Joyce Aimee Titchnell of Los Angeles. He was at work on June 6 at a stable in Wellington, Fla., where he treated polo ponies, when he was stricken.

Gerard was a well-regarded veterinarian at New York's major racetracks in the 1960s and '70s, overseeing the health of hundreds of horses owned by the sport's top stables and trainers.

-- AP

Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Port Jefferson doesn't have enough players to field a team, while Amityville have enough healthy upperclassmen to field a team. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.

'That's a shame' Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.

Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Port Jefferson doesn't have enough players to field a team, while Amityville have enough healthy upperclassmen to field a team. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.

'That's a shame' Port Jefferson and Amityville are dropping their varsity football programs for the 2026 season. Newsday's High School Sports Editor Gregg Sarra reports.

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