Following release from the hospital, Jon Roberts, one of the top young drivers at Dover Downs, will be sidelined from two to six weeks after a racing accident during the

Monday card.

X-rays showed Roberts sustained two compression fractions of the vertebra. The 29-year-old was then fitted with a back support. Though he will be able to do most things, Roberts cannot resume driving horses immediately.

Roberts was enjoying his finest meet at Dover Downs listed among the top 10 in the driver standings. He has won 81 races and $864,631 in purses this season which began on October 31.

Driving Theredandpanlines in the tenth race, Roberts was driving his horse directly behind Funny Deacon, handled by meet leading driver Corey Callahan, in deep stretch when it was ruled Nova Artist bore-out causing Callahan’s horse to fall with Theredandpanlines right behind. Callahan was thrown from his horse to the right while Roberts was sent high in the air coming down on the left falling on his tailbone. Callahan was not injured and continued to drive horses the rest of the program. Roberts, meanwhile, got himself off the track onto the grass inside the pylons and laid down as track personnel hustled to his side.

Roberts was quickly taken by ambulance to nearby Kent General Hospital where emergency room personnel attended him.

(Dover Downs)