[kellyhound]

Jan 10.
A bizarre accident at Freehold Raceway shows the starting gate car skidding out of control and into 6 horses and drivers.

The field of seven trotters was entering the first turn on Freehold’s half-mile oval when video replays show the car sliding toward the infield, doing a 180-degree turn and facing the field head on.

Only the lead horse, Civic Duty driven by James Clarry, cleared the car, which has large gates on either side that are folded back in after a race starts.

The second horse, driven by Hall of Famer Catello Manzi, and the sulky were the first to crash into the car and into a gate that was still fully extended.

Manzi suffered a punctured lung and cracked ribs, a track spokesperson said. All drivers are in stable condition.

"We don't know what happened. It was definitely a freak mishap. Something I've never seen in 40 years in racing," said Freehold Raceway director of racing and race secretary Karen Fagliarone.

Track conditions were not an issue for the first four races of the day, Fagliarone said, adding that there was no ice reported on the track. However, Freehold immediately canceled its final six races of the day following the accident.

"The initial inspection was that the horses are all okay," said Fagliarone. Three of the four drivers were transported to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, and one (Jim Pantaleano) was taken to Centra State Medical Center in Freehold.

Freehold officials said they have no idea what caused the car to spin.

In addition to Manzi, a 63-year-old Freehold resident, drivers Jim Pantaleano, Debra Rucker and Vince Ginsburg were taken to the hospital complaining of a variety of injuries, Fagliarone said.

[Photoplay]

That’s insane. Was gritting my teeth watching this.
Please to read Horses and Harness Drivers ~ ok
I know nothing about harness racing. But isn’t that track water logged and not packed down You can see the water runoff collected in the table drain off the track.

[vagabond]

I think harness racing is more dangerous than Thoroughbred racing- less control. That poor gray horse, went down w/ neck twisted and everyone running over him!

[Shakey]

Never seen them started like this before.

[Desensitisation]

That last horse is as dead as can be. That neck got twisted like a pretzel when it hit the end of that barrier... poor bastard.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by Desensitisation ↗

That last horse is as dead as can be. That neck got twisted like a pretzel when it hit the end of that barrier... poor bastard.

Fortunately, all of the horses in the race escaped with only minor injuries and were able to walk off the track.

[Desensitisation]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

Fortunately, all of the horses in the race escaped with only minor injuries and were able to walk off the track.

I'm frankly amazed. Is there a link to a story that confirms that? That impact was brutal, and I've seen horses drop dead from less.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by Desensitisation ↗

I'm frankly amazed. Is there a link to a story that confirms that? That impact was brutal, and I've seen horses drop dead from less.

http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Star...ce-at-Freehold

[Desensitisation]

Thanks. Always good news when no animals are killed.