Drivers Wilbur Yoder and Bobby Rougeaux were injured as the result of a three-horse accident at the Butler, Pennsylvania Fair on Thursday afternoon.
Yoder was transported by ambulance to a Butler area hospital, then flown to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is believed to have a concussion but no broken bones. He will remain hospitalized overnight.
Rougeaux was driven to Indiana (PA) Hospital for x-rays and has four broken ribs. Additional tests are pending.
The accident occurred in the 11th race, a PA Sire Stake two-year-old filly pace. As the field headed into the first turn, Cebu Hanover, driven by Roger Hammer, made a break and hooked wheels with RT Redyourrights (Rougeaux). Both drivers were thrown to the track. Yoder, who had a trailing position at the start with Royal Native, had nowhere to go and was catapulted over the fallen horses. He then hit a wooden post, part of the hub rail, and was knocked unconscious.
Rougeaux landed on his elbows, then Royal Native stepped over Rougeaux while he was on the track, but he fortunately avoided more serious injuries.
Hammer received only minor abrasions and drove later in the card.
All three horses were uninjured other than minor scrapes.
(PA Fair Harness Horsemen's Association)