Abbatiello Injured In Accident At Freehold

Trainer-driver Eric Abbatiello will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering multiple injuries in an accident at Freehold Raceway on Friday afternoon.

Going into the first turn, Abbatiello - driving Queen Celine - was unable to avoid the falling Pandanza (Jason Bartlett), was thrown to the track and run over by at least one horse. The race was declared a no-contest.

Trot Insider has learned that Abbatiello reportedly suffered a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, multiple broken ribs, a broken collarbone and is experiencing issues with one of his shoulders. Early reports indicate that Abbatiello will be on the shelf for at least six months.

The early consensus from those close to the accident are that his helmet - which was thoroughly cracked down the middle - saved Abbatiello's life. He is presently in intensive care at Jersey Shore Hospital in Neptune, New Jersey to closely monitor the spleen injury and the lung problem.

The other drivers involved in the accident - George Brennan, who just returned from an accident himself, and recently-chosen U.S. World Driving Championship representative Jason Bartlett - did not suffer any major injuries and were back racing at Freehold on Saturday.

Abbatiello, the son of legendary driver Carmine Abbatiello, was on his way to his best season as a driver, with already a career high $1.6 million in purse earnings and 139 wins - his third best total to date.

Please join SC in wishing Eric Abbatiello a safe and speedy recovery.