An army of two-year-olds marched into battle at Woodstock Raceway on Friday afternoon, and a little bit of everything occurred over the course of the afternoon including a division which was ruled a “No Contest”
following a nasty-looking accident. The “No Contest” occurred in Race 2 - the second division of the six splits for the rookie pacing colts and geldings.
Race leader Winbak Warrior (James MacDonald) made a break and then fell as the field was nearing the half. The Unsub (Lyle MacArthur) was right on the leader’s back and had nowhere to go but into the bike of the breaking leader. He fell and so did Sir Jack (Nick Steward), who was right behind the pocket-sitter at the time. J Rs Hurricane (Robert Shepherd) got tied up in the mix-up, and driver Lyle MacArthur got caught underneath that horse according to early reports.
Two horses got loose and ran off before being apprehended. MacArthur was tended to by track paramedics before being transported via ambulance to local hospital for observation.
"Lyle is back at home and feeling a little banged up but overall is not too bad," Darryl MacArthur told Trot Insider late Friday night. "He was told he may have a mild fracture on his tailbone and one of his hands was sore. He said he felt much worse the last time he went down with Southwind Madonna - The Unsub's half Brother, go figure - under very similar circumstances."
None of the other drivers suffered injuries in the mishap, and early reports indicate none of the horses were seriously injured. Trot Insider will post additional details when they become available.
Who Doesnt took the opening division in 2:00 for trainer/driver Joe Hudon, who shares ownership on the colt with R A W Equine Inc and Robert Rubin. The colt laid down panels of :20.2, 1:00 and 1:30.2 before sprinting home in :29.3 to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Tye Seelster, with Fanelli Royal finishing third. The son of Mach Three-Labor Of Love, who was making his pari-mutuel debut, was a $40,000 purchase from the 2010 Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Speed Addiction was victorious in his first lifetime start, as well, for the tandem of driver Randy Waples and trainer Dave Menary. The son of Jeremes Jet-Shutupandkissme laid down fractions of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:30.3 before kicking home in a :29-second clip to win in 1:59.3. Lyons Josephjnr was 1-1/4 lengths in arrears, with Noble Andrew another pair of lengths back in third. Uncirculated Stable, Denis Breton and Mitzi Paraszczuk share ownership on the colt, who was a $64,000 purchase from last year’s Forest City Yearling Sale.
Jettison was an off-the-pace winner in his debut for the combination of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Mark Austin. The son of Jeremes Jet-Pizzacato came first-over and wore down the leaders en route to winning by three-quarters of a length over Fraceschetti in 2:00.3. Mister Icon rounded out the top three finishers. Sent off as the 9-5 favourite, Jettison score the win for partners Dan Smith, Jeff Roberts, Don Roberts and Bill Boden who shelled out $55,000 to buy the youngster from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
OK Ebury, a $13,000 purchase from last year’s Canadian Yearling Sale, erupted for a 53-1 upset in his pari-mutuel debut. The son of Modern Art-Jennies Girl followed cover for driver Sylvain Filion before using a :29.4 final frame to post a 1:58.2 score – the quickest mile in the OSS divisions. North Shore Boy was next best, with Boeing taking home the show dough. Luc Loyer of Gatineau, QC owns and trains the ridgling.
True To Mach went to the front and didn’t look back en route to posting a 1:59.2 score in the final division. Phil Hudon rolled the homebred son of Mach Three-True To Life through intervals of :29.3, 1:00.1 and 1:30.2 before using a :29-second closing panel to secure the 1:59.2 score over Creighton Hanover and Terem Up Louie. Jim Ainsworth trains the youngster for Larry Ainsworth of Petrolia and Bill Boden of Vancouver, BC.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Woodstock Raceway.
I was at Woodstock to see
I was at Woodstock to see the 2 - yr olds race so I got a "birds eye" view of the
accident. The horse Jim MacDonald(Winbak Warrior) was driving had put in steps several times during the contest. Finally he made a nasty break about 50- yards from the 1/2 marker, but could not take his horse into the safety lane as there is none at the Woodstock raceway - had he tried to take his horse inside the pylons he would have run into either the finish line pole or the communications box that is located in front of the tote board just 10 - yards off of the track itself.
But you've just got to ask yourself, as so many of the horsemen were, why would anyone schedule the first start for these 2 - yr olds at the Woodstock Racetrack. The first turn is just "too tight" and as expected, quite a few of the young horses made mis-steps or breaks. With all of the racetracks in the area, couldn't this stakes event have been conducted at a much better facility that has a good racing surface and a safety lane as well?