Driver Mario Baillargeon was off to a tremendous start this season. That was until Warp Speed caught
a shoe and went down hard, sparking the scary eight-horse accident which marred the March 2 program at Woodbine Racetrack.
A resident of Milton, Ont., Baillargeon suffered a broken fibula in the spill, which has quickly thrown the brakes on what was a solid start to the 2009 season. From 316 starts, the veteran pilot had compiled 44 victories, 33 seconds and 41 thirds on the '09 campaign. He had also steered the winners of $848,585 in purses.
"It's just a little frustrating because I was off to maybe my best start ever this year," Baillargeon said. "I'm in good shape mentally, and I'm looking forward to getting back."
Trot Insider has learned that Baillargeon, 51, yesterday traded in a straight cast (which ran from hip to ankle) for a lighter cast which bends at the knee. Baillargeon also had x-rays taken yesterday at the Milton fracture clinic of Dr. Marcus Bischoff -- the same doctor that tended to the reinsman when he fractured a scapula in a spill at Woodbine in 2003.
Baillargeon has stated that he is aiming to be back racing sometime early in the summer meet at Mohawk Racetrack, which will be getting underway April 30.
Roger Mayotte, who sustained a broken right arm, dislocated shoulder, and torn ligaments in his pelvis while parting company with Shiny Mach, has this week returned to his barn at Mohawk, though he’s walking with less than the usual spring in his step.
“The fresh air and moving around strengthens your whole body instead of sitting around in the house,” Mayotte told WEG publicity. The popular horseman is scheduled to meet with a specialist on Friday morning to determine whether his shoulder will need surgery.
“I went to Oakville (Hospital) the other day and they took three pictures (x-rays) of my pelvis. I was real happy to find out there was nothing broken. They said it was torn ligaments and muscles and they want me to move around. At first, when they looked at me at Etobicoke, they said it was a suspect fracture.”
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(with files from WEG)