An accident that took place on Thursday (June 22) at Saratoga Casino Hotel has sent two drivers to hospital and claimed the life of one horse.
In the fourth race at Saratoga, Mister Miami (Dan Daley) was racing in fifth in a field of seven maiden pacers when he took a bad step and fell. Fifth Son (Francis Raia II) was following in behind and managed to mostly avoid the fallen horse but the trailer in the field, Sporty Big Boy (Stephane Bouchard) could not. Bouchard was catapulted from his sulky and Sporty Big Boy was reportedly euthanized as a result of his injuries. Mister Miami was injured after his fall but in stable condition.
According to harnessracing.com, both Daley and Bouchard were conscious when taken to local hospital.
A report on Bouchard's condition will be posted when available. Daley's son, Dan gave an update on his father.
"So far we know he has several broken ribs, a cracked clavicle, and a collapsed lung," Daley posted on Facebook. "They're monitoring him for internal bleeding and he's spending the night in ICU. He's the strongest man that I know and I'm confident that he'll fully recover... besides, there's horses to train next week!"
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Sporty Big Boy.
I was racing at Blue Bonnets
I was racing at Blue Bonnets when Stephane Bouchard was working for the late Jean Paul Gauthier, a shy young fella. My prayers are with both drivers for a quick and complete recovery.