An equipment malfunction caused an unfortunate accident in Race 9 at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening, but reports indicate there were
no major injuries suffered as a result of the mishap.
Flamboro’s track photographer Todd Gimblett told Trot Insider the bit broke on four-year-old mare Sycamore Ruby as the field was making its way to the three-quarter pole, and it set off a chain reaction of interference heading into the final turn of the race.
Trainer Rebecca Titus was in the bike behind the daughter of Damien Seelster, who bore into the path of trailing horses going into the final as a result of the equipment malfunction. A trio of horses got tangled up with Sycamore Ruby who eventually hooked wheels with Casimir In the Mood and as a result dumped driver Ondrej Gois out of the sulky.
Sycamore Ruby bore out to fence closest to the grandstand and she eventually ended up in the cement drainage ditch right at the finish line. She had both front legs stuck inside a steel fence which separates the racetrack from the tarmac area in front of the grandstand.
Titus was quick to receive assistance from fellow horsemen Justin and Garrett Whelan, who helped remove the mare from the ditch.
Gois and Titus walked away with no injuries from the mishap, and that was the case for the horses, as well.
Racehorsephoto.com has shared the following photos of the incident with Trot Insider:
To view Sunday's results, click here.
Rebecca....Glad to see you
Rebecca....Glad to see you are okay after this accident... We miss you at the barn. Hope to see you soon!
Michael Guerriero
FB RACING
Glad to hear your ok Rebecca
Glad to hear your ok Rebecca hopefully the horse didn't hurt anything either.............and one more thing that I forgot to Add on my Reply to Mr Harris' Comment "Rebecca Titus just so happens to be a good friend of mine I have known the Titus' for about 5 years know and I know Darn well that Each and Every horse in their barn is Well looked after and very cared about as are all Horses in this Business!!!!
And if you haven't noticed there's only a Few purses that are 3000$ and Very rarely does a Bit Break heck I have had lines come loose I have had lines hooked to the Race halter I have had lines not done up But never in the last 7 years that I have jogged horses and trained horses have I had a bit Break so As the headlines to this Colume states "FREAK ACCIDENT"
Although some of the best
Although some of the best and some of the most popular drivers are able to make a great living, doing what the vast majority of us, in or out of the sport, are envious of, standardbred racing on the most part is not a business it is a sport.
This sport like many is addictive and fueled greatly by testosterone. How else could you justify the monthly expence of training and raceday expence. by trainers, owners and drivers who truck and drive most times hundreds of miles to race, so so many of times for purses of $3,000 or less.
If my math is correct a $3,000 purse generates a driver payout of $75, $37.50, $18, $12, @ $7.50 before deductions---are we still talking a job or a sport-hobby?
This is no more than TRAVEL LEAGUE or minor league sport with the dream and chance of maybe going "Down Town" or to "The Show".
I think our mutual handle reflects this emencly. I wonder how many bets get placed on Pee Wee hockey?
I would also like to know why I, as an owner have to pay Joe Bloe the same fee as I do John Campell? And would really like to why the traing % is even deducted,can't owners and trainers do their own books?
So pack a lunch basket and a few pops and have some fun.
Dear Sir, thank you for the
Dear Sir, thank you for the concern about driver fees, however in this case I am a trainer who only occasionally drives our horses.
In this case I was driving because we had tinkered with her bridle(which incidentally was working very well before the bit broke!).
Mostly I am so grateful that the Whelan brothers were willing to help me out. They never hesitated one second, they both jumped right in to help me get her out of the fence and drainage ditch. Absolute class acts those 2 fellows.
Thanks Again Garrett and Justin!!
Rebecca Titus
You know, everytime I read
You know, everytime I read one of these stories I get a chill down my spine. And I can't help put feel more and more livid about the fact our drivers to not recieve a DRIVER'S FEE for every horse they drive. Incredible.
In no other industry in the world are people asked to work for nothing - and most industries that contain such potential hazards have pay structures that are structured accordingly!
Who represents our drivers? Do they have a Union? How does this Union - if one exists - allow this situation to continue?
Of course, I realise that alot of drivers get rich, there is alot of money to be made on the A tracks and at the top end of the B tracks... but how many are struggling to make ends meet all the while putting their LIVES on the line by driving the lower-end horses with no guarantee that their gas money is covered??
Don't make no sense to me, I'm afraid.