Batavia Downs has issued an update on the condition of 24-year-old provisional driver Jacob Baumeister, who was involved in a racing accident at the track on Wednesday, November 5.
On Wednesday, was injured when he fell to the track.
In its update on the situation, Batavia’s media relations department has stated that Baumeister was released from the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia late Wednesday night (November 5).
The update states that Baumeister (who was driving Vital Speed) appeared to hit the wheel of the early leader (Call Her Quick, driven by Jack Flanigen) as the field heading to the three-quarters marker.
Call Her Quick got rough gaited and went off stride. Baumeister and Vital Speed were directly behind and couldn’t avoid the breaker and went down. Baumeister was catapulted from the race bike.
Justrollwithit and driver Truman Gale were also involved in the accident. They appeared to hook the wheel of the sulky of Vital Speed. Gale, a Vernon Downs regular, was also catapulted from the sulky.
Baumeister suffered a concussion and facial lacerations. Gale walked off under his own power.
Baumeister is the son of longtime western New York trainer/driver Mike Baumeister and is the grandson of Ronald, who also raced at Batavia and Buffalo Raceway.
Vital Speed suffered minor abrasions and walked back to the paddock. Justrollwithit, who ran loose after unseating Gale, was apprehended by paddock personnel with no apparent injuries.
“We were definitely lucky that involved parties will be okay,” said Todd Haight, the track’s director and general manager of live racing. “That was a very nasty spill. Jake is the nicest young man you’re ever going to meet and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”
(With files from Batavia)