Tuesday afternoon update on injured Woodbine drivers

Longtime WEG reinsman Roger Mayotte (driving Shiny Mach) and Robert Shepherd (in the sulky of Rust Belt) are in Etobicoke General Hospital Tuesday afternoon as a result of injuries suffered in an eight-horse accident that marred Monday night's $55,400(C) Ontario Boys Pacing Series final at Woodbine Racetrack.

Mayotte has three breaks in his right arm, a dislocated right shoulder and a hairline fracture in his pelvic bone. Sheppard reportedly has two broken bones in his left leg and is awaiting surgery scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Mario Baillargeon was taken to Milton Hospital following the accident and was diagnosed with a broken right leg. He is in a cast.

Other drivers Rick Zeron, Jody Jamieson, Sylvain Filion, Chris Christoforou and Jason Brewer suffered various scrapes and bruises. Christoforou was returning to Milton Hospital to have his hip looked at.

Track veterinarian Dr. Jack McCall reported afterwards that all eight horses were very fortunate to walk away from the accident with cuts and scrapes.

The mishap occurred as the field approached the half. Warp Speed, who was sitting in third position, took a bad step and tumbled suddenly to the track. This caused a chain reaction as none of the other seven horses were able to avoid the fallen pacer. Warp Speed, who got up without his driver following the spill, ran off the racetrack and into the paddock barn, but escaped serious injury.

The event went to Windsun Twister (Luc Ouellette) who overtook Dinner Guest (Randy Waples) in the stretch to score in 1:56. They were the only two horses to finish the race. (WEG)

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