On Wednesday night at Flamboro Downs, Ontario harness racing suffered its third on-track accident in a five-day span.
In the 11th race, Thats The Life seemed to put in steps going into the final turn and fell. Justalittleluck and driver Brad Forward could not avoid the fallen horse and hit Thats The Life and driver Anthony MacDonald from behind, ejecting both drivers from their racebikes. While no injuries were reported to the horses, the drivers weren't as fortunate.
Forward and MacDonald will be sidelined indefinitely. Forward suffered a broken ankle with torn ligaments and told Trot Insider that he's hoping for surgery on Thursday.
MacDonald will be off his feet for a while as well with "suspected significant hip ligament and muscle damage" to his right leg.
"I'd like to thank everyone for the well wishes, it's been a tough week for my family and friends," MacDonald told Trot Insider. "I will heal before Brad and [Anthony's brother] James so please save your prayers for them."
Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Brad Forward and Anthony MacDonald full and speedy recoveries.
Anthony: While I was posting
Anthony: While I was posting some signs 55,000 jobs lost etc. I happened to be turning out onto the highway ( from IDEAL TRAINING CENTRE) and narrowly escaped death when a transport truck crossed the center line, just missing my car. I can't imagine what it's like to drive a horse along with nine other drivers and make those Quick decisions in racing. Hoping everyone involved recovers and returns to racing soon..Be safe ok? Tom Kelly
Wishing all a speedy
Wishing all a speedy recovery. If we are going to perservere with this two lines, two hands mentality, I can,t believe the 3 tier hand hold concept did not take off. It seems to me it would be much safer for all involved. Watching the post parade with the drivers gripping the buckles makes my skin crawl, yet the authorities have left them no choice. Just venting
Regards,Bill
well anthony you told james
well anthony you told james only the greats get hurt. Guess you are one of the greats now. Tough week on Ontario tracks hoping for speedy recovery for you all.
Brad is currently sitting in
Brad is currently sitting in the hospital in racks of pain awaiting surgery. He was scheduled to go in today around 4:00pm but they haven't taken him into surgery yet.
In reply to Brad is currently sitting in by Scott Forward
Hope Brad is ok. Tell him all
Hope Brad is ok. Tell him all of the SRW is thinking of him, and to get better soon.Remember good things come to those that wait.
Hello Anthony, Get well quick
Hello Anthony,
Get well quick and good luck in the next election! Your are a breath of fresh air and always smiling at the track making time for people. Take Care and hope to see you soon. I hope James and Brad make a speedy recover. All of you are great drivers making this sport so exciting!
Regards,
BenBar Stables
All accidents are bad, theres
All accidents are bad, theres no small ones. Hope the MacDonald Bros. and all those involved get well soon. We need you guys on the track. Well said Anthony. Brian Edwards SRW
Sorry to hear about the
Sorry to hear about the accident.
Get well soon Anthony and Brad.
Regards, Geoffrey Lyons-Mound (UK)
I hope that Brad, Anthony and
I hope that Brad, Anthony and James have a speedy recovery. Anthony has an upcoming election to win .
I believe the commission
I believe the commission needs to look more closely at how the drivers sit in the sulky now days. They cannot possibly see much in front of them when laying back in the sulky. Also,the hand holds are so far back that its almost impossible to gather a horse effectively in situations requiring a driver to grab a horse quickly. No one wants to see drivers and horses get hurt but today's run and gun style of racing certainly adds to the possibilities of accidents.
In reply to I believe the commission by Josh
Tom, it is an accident. It
Tom, it is an accident. It doesn't matter how I or Brad or anyone else was sitting or where our hand holds were. If a car stops suddenly in front of you, you can't blame the fact that your seat was back far? My horse fell going 30-40 miles an hour on a point of a turn. That's it! When that happens people get hurt.
This has been a rough week for Ontario horse racing at a time when we certainly have enough on our "plates".
Let's not muddy the waters of our sport with finger pointing. It was an accident and I'm sorry but it will happen again. We know the risks, and as I lay in my bed unable to the bathroom without crutches the furthest thing from my mind is "was I or Brad leaning back or were our hand holds back too far?"
I'm worried about my brother and a friend who are in pain. And I gotta pee. Lol
Leave the accidents on the track and hope for a speedy recovery for all involved. If everyone votes PC in the next election I will ask Tim Hudak to ban all accidents. Lol
Thanks everyone for the well wishes.
Anthony MacDonald
injured driver/PC candidate, Guelph
In reply to Tom, it is an accident. It by anthony macdonald
I don't believe my comment
I don't believe my comment was laying blame on any particular driver regarding this or any of the recent accidents but rather giving my opinion on today's driving styles and the possibilities they not be the safest. You're sounding like a politician before becoming one. Good ones listen.
Anthony , Hello from your
Anthony , Hello from your friends on the backstretch in Charlottetown. You might want to think about a seatbelt ! Get well soon , Bud. Thinking of you and your family , Pat McWade.
Quick recoveries to all
Quick recoveries to all drivers involved!
It's always the right time to
It's always the right time to look at few safety issues maybe? So sorry to hear about yet another set of injuries - track conditions are NOT the best in winter. It's a RISK you take in this profession - SO SORRY BRAD and ANTHONY - TIME heals.
TAKE CARE.
Pretty sad week... Wishing
Pretty sad week...
Wishing all involved a speedy and healthy recovery.
Much Respect.