Following an accident in the fourth race on the Monday, Jan. 13 evening card at The Raceway at Western Fair District, track management made the decision to cancel the remainder of the 10-race card due to unsafe track conditions.
The fourth race was declared a No Contest after pacer Drew The Dragon, driven by Austin Sorrie, slipped, broke stride and fell while approaching the quarter pole. The incident caused a chain reaction, resulting in several other horses colliding and unseating their drivers. Emergency lights and sirens were activated immediately.
In addition to Sorrie, the drivers of the three other horses were unseated during the incident, including Machalko (Paul MacKenzie), Sports Section (Jason Ryan) and Garretts Guide (Daryl Thiessen).
All horses involved were subsequently checked by the track veterinarian. Drew The Dragon, Machalko and Sports Section were placed on the short-term vet list.
Emergency medical personnel attended to all drivers involved in the incident. According to reports from track management and drivers, Sorrie, MacKenzie and Thiessen appeared to be okay, while Ryan, who remained alert and was able to walk on his own, was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Prior to the cancellation, Treasured Tee (pictured above) turned in a dominant performance to win the $12,000 Preferred Trot.
Driver Sam Fillion wasted no time taking the lead from the start, setting a steady pace through fractions of :29.1, :59.2 and 1:29. With a 2-1/2-length advantage on the backstretch, Fillion maintained control heading into the final turn, leaving the competition well behind in the 1:59.1 mile. In the battle for second place, Insanity (Jason Ryan) fought off late challenges to secure the runner-up position, while Lass Shot (Garrett Rooney) completed the top three.
Treasured Tee, a 10-year-old gelding by Yankee Glide out of Platinum T, is co-owned by trainer Francis Guillemette and Stephane Geoffroy. Making his second start of the season a success, he paid $8.10 to win.
Live harness racing resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 14 with a 5:50 p.m. post time.
Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing all drivers and horses involved in the accident a full and speedy recovery.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Western Fair Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)