Yesterday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made a formal inquiry into the recent rash of fatal horse breakdowns at the Aqueduct that he called “disturbing.”

Since racing began on the inner-dirt track on Nov. 30, 16 horses have died, including one on Wednesday.

Cuomo has asked for the New York Racing Association to hire an outside investigator to look into the incidents.

“The State and NYRA need to develop best-in-class procedures to insure against needless injuries to horses and to riders,” read a letter Cuomo sent to NYRA President Charles Hayward Wednesday.

The NYRA claims the inner-dirt track is safe, but they are switching racing to the main track on March 21, two weeks earlier than scheduled.

“This pattern of equine loss should not be allowed to continue,” Cuomo’s letter said.

The NYRA told Metro they planned to comply with Gov. Cuomo’s request and recommend an investigator.

What happened to the horses?

On Wednesday, Hillsboro Bay was taken off the inner-dirt track after a race in an equine ambulance after injuring her right front leg. She was later euthanized.