Hall of Famer recovering

John Campbell underwent surgery Sunday to help reduce the swelling in his left leg which he broke in a race accident at the conclusion of the final Breeders Crown elimination Saturday night at Woodbine. Breeders Crown publicity director Moira Fanning added that Campbell will also have to undergo a second surgery help stabilize the broken tibia bone, but that won't come until the swelling decreases.

Campbell, 51, the sport's all-time leading money-winning driver with more than $240 million in purse earnings, is resting at Etobicoke General Hospital. His wife, Paula, arrived in Toronto yesterday from their New Jersey home. He had won three eliminations on the card prior to the accident.

The accident was the first major incident in the 22-year history of the Breeders Crown races. The accident occured at the finish line when Total Truth, driven by Ron Pierce, bore in and struck the legs of the Brian Sears-driven Shark Gesture. Shark Gesture fell to the track and Campbell, directly behind him with Scootin Delight, crashed into them. Scootin Delight was euthanized on the track after reportedly suffering a broken humerus bone and profuse bleeding.

Neither Sears or Pierce reportedly suffered any injuries. Shark Gesture, who qualified for the Crown final next Saturday, suffered bruises and lacerations. His status for the final is unclear as of Monday morning.

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