Agricultural authorities in Pennsylvania are investigating a pair of unrelated incidents occurring 15 minutes apart involving the deaths of Standardbred racehorses at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington, Pa.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Secretary Samantha Elliott Krepps said that on Feb. 4 one horse expired during a live race at the Meadows.

A necropsy of that animal is under way, she said. Results are expected within 30 and 45 days.

Fifteen minutes later the second horse was euthanized after breaking its leg, Krepps said, adding that an evaluation of circumstances surrounding the deaths is under way.

"There will be follow-through and the (racing) commission will take action if evidence is discovered and proven that the trainer has violated the rules in any way," Krepps said.

In a written statement The Meadows management said track administration is working with those who are examining circumstances surrounding the deaths.

"The Meadows family was saddened by the unfortunate deaths of two horses earlier this week at our track, especially given the circumstance of their timing being so close together," the statement said. "We are working with the state Department of Agriculture and the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association to evaluate the events that took place on February 4th."