Driver Richard Silverman was admitted to Hackensack University Medical Center with a severe concussion following an accident in the second race Friday night at Meadowlands Racetrack
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Silverman was one of six drivers unseated in a chain reaction set in motion when Four Starzz Lefty fell to the ground with driver George Brennan. Daniel Dube (Native Run), Brian Sears (Arts Shadow), Eric Goodell (Keystone Neptune), Ron Pierce (Most Happy Dragon) were also tossed from their sulkies in the spill.
"I could feel my horse getting rough-gaited, and then he just went down," Brennan said.
Silverman and Dube were immediately taken to the hospital, while Pierce and Sears were later sent for x-rays.
Though Silverman suffered seizures on the way to the hospital, preliminary scans showed no fractures or internal bleeding. He will be evaluated by a neurologist and undergo a second CT scan and MRI early Saturday morning.
Dube was also evaluated for a concussion and complained of lower back pain and soreness in his right hand.
Pierce underwent x-rays on his right shoulder at Meadowlands Hospital and was cleared to resume driving on Saturday.
After winning the third race $32,000 Mares Invitational Pace aboard the Ron Burke-trained On The Glass (1:51.2) and driving in the following two races, Sears opted off the rest of his drives and was taken to Hackensack for x-rays of his left arm, which was severely cut and swollen, and ankle.
Brennan continued to drive through race eight on the card before opting off the remainder of the night’s races.
Goodell returned to the sulky for the balance of the card and picked up his 4,000th career win behind Answer The Bell in the final race of the night.
All six horses involved in the spill escaped without serious injury. Four Starzz Lefty sustained all-over lacerations from his fall to the ground, while Keystone Neptune was treated for a severe cut on his lower right front leg. Native Run suffered minor contusions while the remaining horses, Arts Shadow, Most Happy Dragon and Sensationalist, were uninjured. All six horses are expected to resume their racing careers, but must qualify before they return to the track.
Trot Insider will provide more details on the condition of the drivers involved when made available.
Please join SC in wishing all drivers involved a full and speedy recovery.
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)
Wishing both Daniel a
Wishing both Daniel a Ritchie and full and speedy recovery.
I have often written to this
I have often written to this site criticizing the racing. Having said that, racing is a game I love and over a span of over 30 years of watching racing I have gotten to chat with some of the drivers on both sides of the border and know their personalities.
When I saw this spill on Friday night as I was watching I couldn't help but recall the horrendous spill that took place at Woodbine not too long ago. As with then I felt a lump in my throat as I saw driver after driver get thrown from his bike. It is during times like this that suddenly the bets don't matter anymore. Immediately I felt concerned for the well being of these men and these wonderful animals.
Despite all the frustrations involved with betting and racing these are at the end of the day human beings with families at home who love them. To us racing fans these guys are no diferent then the Maple Leafs to a hockey fan in Toronto. They are athletes we love to cheer when they win for us and boo the crap out of when they lose. But to see a spill is an entirely different matter. I thank God that as with the spill at Woodbine all the drivers for the most part came out ok and not with life threatening injuries. I wish them all a speedy recovery and hope to see them all on the track again soon.
Joe R
Toronto