Pavia injured at Big M

June 17, 2007

Driver Joe Pavia Jr. was rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment after an accident that also unseated two other drivers in the ninth race on Saturday night at Meadowlands.

The accident unfolded when Jim Meittinis' charge, Beware Of Darkness, stumbled and fell to the ground in the opening strides of the race, sending Meittinis somersaulting onto the track. In turn, Greg Merton was tossed out of his sulky and into the infield by TJ's Ideal. Pavia was catapulted into the air by Nic Nac Hanover and landed on his back, several feet away. He was lifted into the ambulance on a stretcher and transported to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment. Pavia was reported to be coherent during the ambulance ride, but suffering from pain in his right shoulder. As of midnight, he was set to undergo x-rays and a CAT Scan in the hospital's trauma unit.

Merton and Meittinis both rose to their feet right away and were cleared to resume their driving duties. All three horses were considered to be in sound condition, although TJ's Ideal found his way into the Meadowlands' stable area and ran through a fence before being corralled between Barns 7 and 8.

"They have some scrapes and may be bruised tomorrow, but they appear to be in fairly good condition under what could have been terrible circumstances," said Dr. Barbara Greene, state veterinarian.

The accident scattered the field and resulted in a three-horse breakaway. Fresh Deck led Kinetic Yankee and Mr Market single-file into the stretch. Kinetic Yankee tipped out and surged past the even-money favorite for a length and a quarter win in 1:52.1. Mike Lachance drove the colt to his fifth win in six starts this season for trainer Erv Miller.

Earlier in the night, Always A Virgin overcame a brief miscue caused by interference to win the first of the two NJSS divisions.

Driver Dave Palone sent Always A Virgin to the front and attempted to yield to Mike Lachance and Radio City past the quarter, when Lachance's horse interfered with them. Always A Virgin went off stride, but was back pacing a moment later and drew off to a two and a half length victory in 1:51.4. St Pete Star held his ground for second, while Southwind Majestic closed along the pylons to finish third.

"There was one nervous moment there at the quarter, when I was letting Mike go," Palone said. "His horse put in a bad step and clipped my horse's leg. But [Always A Virgin] regained his composure and there were no worries after that."

It was the first win in four starts this season for Always A Virgin, who is trained by Joe Holloway. The colt fought a gutsy first-over battle against his stablemate, Fresh Deck, to finish third in the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic on June 2. The son of Western Ideal races for the Bluewood Stable of Hopewell, New Jersey and Roll The Dice Stable of Wilmington, Delaware. He is being pointed towards the $1 million Meadowlands Pace on Saturday, July 14. (The Meadowlands)

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