Linda Kakaley, the mother of driver Matt Kakaley, who was injured in a race accident on Tuesday night (March 13) at Yonkers Raceway, told harnessracing.com Thursday morning that her son is recovering following facial surgery and is grateful for all the support he's received.
"We can't thank everybody enough for all of the calls, texts and messages Matt has received expressing their support for him," said Linda. "Matt said last night that he couldn't believe how many people have reached out and that it made him feel so really good that it brought tears to his eyes."
Kakaley suffered a broken nose and collarbone and facial fractures in the accident that occurred in Race 10 on Tuesday. Kakaley was driving Lawgiver Hanover when the horse took a bad step and went down going into the third turn. Driver Jim Marohn Jr., who was behind with Big Jer, also went down, but he and the horse both escaped injury. Lawgiver Hanover was later euthanized.
Originally taken to a hospital in Bronxville, N.Y., Kakaley was moved to Westchester Medical Center, where the surgery was performed.
"Matt had surgery yesterday but will need two more surgeries later to repair the collarbone and some other facial injuries," said Linda. "But we're hopeful the doctors will be able to release him to go home as soon as today."
Driver Mark MacDonald visited Kakaley in hospital on Thursday afternoon, and gave an additional update on Kakaley's condition.
"Considering what he went through, he was in very good spirits, laughing and joking,” said MacDonald.
It was MacDonald’s understanding that Kakaley is to be discharged from Westchester Medical sooner rather than later, returning sometime next week to have more work performed on his collarbone.
“I don’t know if it’s the best-case scenario, but it seems to be close,” MacDonald added. “The doctors see no reason he won’t recover and get back driving, maybe within five or six weeks.”
Does Kakaley had any recollection of the accident?
“Not much,” MacDonald said.
Kakaley and longtime partner Annie Larrabee in late December became parents of a baby girl, Arianna Christine. Kakaley will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 19. The 2010 Rising Star Award winner, Kakaley has 4,169 career victories with $61.1 million in purse earnings.
Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Kakaley a speedy and complete recovery from his injuries.
(Harnessracing.com and Yonkers)