Randy Waples' Saturday night lineup at Woodbine Racetrack was cut short when the reinsman was reportedly injured during an incident in the first race.
Lined up in post seven on the gate for the first race, the James MacDonald-driven J M Jet Set was startled by the exhaust of the starting car as it sped away and the pacer veered sideways bumping into outside starter Roethblissberger and Randy Waples.
J M Jet Set pulled up after the incident and was a pari-mutuel refund while Roethblissberger continued on despite the interference to take the early lead. The race was eventually won by favourite Cougar Hall and driver Doug McNair, who took the lead down the backstretch and cruised home in 1:52.3.
WEG harness racing analyst Chad Rozema reported afterwards that Waples had booked off his remaining six drives on the Saturday night card with a knee injury from the incident. The extent of the injury is unknown.
MacDonald confirmed with Trot Insider that J M Jet Set was doing okay and only suffered minor bumps and bruises from where he had landed on Waples' race bike.
Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Waples a full and speedy recovery.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
Couldn't ageee more David. At
Couldn't ageee more David. At Rideau it is virtually impossible from the 5 to 8 hole to leave with one. It's like the horses are going into a wall. I'm sure they could build an extension from the tailpipe that goes straight up in the air.
Gord Brown
First off- I hope Randy
First off- I hope Randy recovers quickly. Second- this happens EVERY night the first 2 races so why not make 4 trial runs with the starting car before the first race to get it warmed up enough that the exhaust does not cause another incident. Several bettors and owners have been making comments about this .