Rider sent flying, horse put down
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/05/2010 (5636 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
DISASTER struck in the fifth race Saturday night at Assiniboia Downs, when Early Edition, a four-year-old filly owned by Castletyne Stables and trained by Shelly Brown, went down and into the rail along the backstretch just past the half-mile pole, hurling jockey Juan Crawford nearly 40 feet.
Crawford was taken to hospital by ambulance, but released later with only minor injuries. However, Manitoba Horse Racing Commission veterinarian, Dr. Joe Meek, was called upon to euthanize Early Edition.
"I didn’t see the replay of the race," said Dr. Meek, "so I am not sure what the horse tried to do, or if something scared it. I was told by others that it tried to jump the fence."
Obvious injuries to Early Edition were a vicious gash to her lower right abdominal area, but Meek said it wasn’t until they lifted her to see where most of the hemorrhaging was coming from, that he knew he’d have to euthanize her.
"It seems as though the rail had broken and a post had caught her under the left shoulder and almost tore her whole left leg off," said Meek.
The veterinarian said Assiniboia Downs stewards would be reviewing the race films, but it was his understanding that this was a freak accident.
"One report I heard was that no one was dropping down on the horse, and another report said it’s back end touched the rail. From what I understand nobody was at fault," he said.
Crawford’s agent Bill Bilous said the jockey was released from hospital Saturday night.
"He’s pretty stiff and sore, but he’s got no broken bones or anything like that. He didn’t say much to me about what happened, but that’s just part of racing," said Bilous. "There were no other riders involved, but for some unknown reason she (Early Edition) went over the top of the rail."
"I was in the back getting my horse ready (for the next race), when it happened," Downs trainer Tanya Lindsay said Sunday. "I understand that Early Edition was along the rail with the second pack (of horses) and suddenly went down. She veered into the rail and sent Crawford flying. I understand he was lucky to have not hit the lamp standard."
Bilous said it is unknown whether Crawford will be able to race on Wednesday’s card.
"It depends on how he feels," said Bilous. "It will be his call."
allan.besson@freepress.mb.ca