Harness horsemen Todd O'Dea and Walter Ross, Jr. were honoured in a winner's circle ceremony at Rockingham Park on Friday for their help in saving the life of
a fellow horseman, who suffered a serious heart attack last month during the afternoon of racing.
When trainer Andrei Guidette, Jr. was stricken in the Rockingham Park paddock on July 22, O'Dea and Ross were cool in the midst of the crisis and immediately responded to administer CPR until medical personnel could arrive on the scene. Guidette was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he subsequently underwent a quadruple bypass operation.
Reportedly, Guidette is recuperating and in good spirits as he hopes for a return to racing next spring.
"I hope he lives a long and happy life," said Ross.
O'Dea echoed that sentiment and added, "I hope he gets back to racing soon."
Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 10-race card and Rockingham will also simulcast the full card of thoroughbred racing from Saratoga, which includes the running of the Grade 1 $1 million Travers Stakes, also known as the Mid-Summer Derby. While three-year-old filly sensation and Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra and Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird are sitting this one out, the Travers shapes up as an outstanding betting race with a competitive field filled with quality from top to bottom.
On Sunday, Rockingham concludes the 2009 live harness meet with an 11-race card highlighted by the sixth edition of the $30,000 Joseph Carney Memorial Trot and defending champion Scorpion Moon has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favourite in the seven-horse field. Everyone coming to the races is eligible to win a $50 gas card from Klemm's Mobile on the Run in Windham, New Hampshire. Post time is 1:05 p.m.
(Rockingham Park)