UPDATED: Accident In Woodbine Preferred

Published: January 12, 2013 11:00 pm EST

Woodbine Racetrack's $34,000 Preferred Pace on Saturday night was marred by an accident, which took out the backfield near the half-way point.

Driver Scott Zeron rolled 4-5 favourite Sparky Mark to the lead into the first turn of the ninth race over early leaver My Man Charley (Anthony MacDonald), Mystician (Jody Jamieson) and Mach Dreamer (Chris Christoforou). The Mark Austin trainee reached the opening quarter in :26.2.

As Sparky Mark proceeded to the half in :55, In Commando (James MacDonald) tipped off the pylons from fifth, but fell causing a pile up among the trailing horses. Hard To Mach (Doug McNair) and High Def Z Tam (Billy Davis Jr.) also fell while Anderlecht dumped his driver, Rick Zeron, and ran loose before being corralled.

Sparky Mark continued to lead the way to three-quarters in 1:23.1 before holding off Mystician by a neck to win in 1:50.3. Mach Dreamer finished third over My Man Charley, who rounded out the finishing horses. Sparky Mark paid $3.90 to win.

Trot Insider has learned that James MacDonald was taken off the track via stretcher by EMS crew. According to Jenna MacDonell, MacDonald fractured and dislocated his ankle with a surgeon set to inspect the ankle for ligament damage on Sunday morning.

Davis, McNair and Rick Zeron were seen walking off the track under their own power. Davis, who did not have any further drives on the card, told Trot Insider he suffered minor injuries to his lower back and right leg, but is doing fine otherwise. Rick Zeron returned to the bike in the following race.

McNair booked off his last two drives and was taken to hospital to get checked out. According to McNair, he broke the tip of a finger, suffered bruised ribs and a bruised calf muscle.

Trot Insider has learned that High Def Z Tam was euthanized.

Updates on the drivers and horses involved will be provided when further information is available.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of High Def Z Tam and in wishing those injured a full and speedy recovery.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.

Tags
Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.