Updated: Jungquist Injured

Following Friday night’s accident in the ninth race at Fraser Downs, Trot Insider has learned that driver James Jungquist suffered a broken collar bone and is expected to miss a few weeks of racing action

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In last night's finale, Jungquist was tossed from the sulky when his charge Austinsfirstpeace fell near the three-quarters mark after getting caught in behind Red Star Petunia, with Dave McKellar.

“Going up the backside Dave’s horse put in a couple of steps,” Jungquist told Trot Insider this evening. “I went to tip out and get around her and then she went down. I ended up catching Dave’s wheel when I was trying to get out from behind him. Then we all fell down.”

After the race, Jungquist says he felt okay but his mother persuaded him to get checked out at Langley Memorial Hospital.

“I broke my collar bone and cracked my rotator a little bit. It's nothing too serious but the doctor said I shouldn’t even think about sitting behind a horse for at least a month so I assume I’ll be back in about three weeks, you know how horsemen do things.”

The 31-year-old reinsman says he visited Austinsfirstpeace today and trainer Wayne Isbister assured him that she came out of the accident unscathed.

“It was funny because I hadn’t been driving that much and I finally got things turned around and going again. It was my first weekend back and I was getting drives for Wayne, he’s one of the bigger trainers on the track. I just got done telling him how much I appreciated being able to come back and drive for him. I saw him today and he said ‘Well in four to six weeks maybe we can find something else for you to drive.’ But that’s how things go. I don’t get too wound up about stuff, I'm pretty laidback. My Xbox had missed me lately anyways,” he joked.

McKellar, who was stiff with sore ribs following the accident, did return to action Saturday night. The other horses involved walked off the track under their own power and appeared to be okay.

“There is somebody I have to mention,” added Jungquist. “Sue Allan is one of the horsewoman at the track and she happens to be my girlfriend but she came out and really took charge of the situation. She did a good job helping me out and helping the others as well.”

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing James Jungquist a speedy recovery.