The Pocono Downs publicity department has provided an update on the drivers which were involved in a multi-horse accident during the last race on the 16-dash Tuesday, September 1 card at the Northeastern, Pennsyl
vania track.
According to the release, the drivers escaped serious injuries in the accident which involved at least four horses.
George Napolitano, Jr., a multiple driving and training champion at Pocono, appeared to have sustained a severe head injury when he went flying backwards after being unseated near the three-quarter pole. He lay motionless for a while after coming down hard on his head and was transported to the nearby Geisinger Medical Centre in Plains Township, where he was treated and released from the emergency room.
Mike Simons, another top Pocono reinsman, was also unseated in the frightening mishap, but sustained only a few bumps or bruises. He walked away from the accident scene. Also apparently unscathed was Chase Vandervort.
The chain-reaction accident occurred as the trotters were in single file approaching the three-quarter pole when the four-horse, Kristal Dream (driven by Andrew McCarthy), suddenly took a bad step and went on a break.
The Bryce Truitt-driven Alex R -- which was positioned behind Kristal Dream -- attempted to avoid hitting Kristal Dream and was struck by Napolitano Jr., who was driving American Cool.
The Simons-driven Techalong was behind American Cool and also was involved in the collision along with the Chase Vandervort-driven Marion Mississippi.
Only four horses finished the race, including Spit N Shine, which won the race in a time of 2:02.4. Alex R finished second and Red Light finished third.
Kristal Dream, which was fourth in the race, was disqualified for causing the accident, leaving only three horses remaining which completed the race.
The statuses of the horses involved are not known at this time.
Trot Insider will provide further information on the situation when it is made available.
(With files from Pocono)