What happened in 4th at Balmoral?

[vegas jay]

Did anybody see what happened in the 4th at Balmoral? On TVG they said there was a terrible accident (which they didn't show) causing the race to be declared no-contest and it appeared Oosting and Pletcher might be seriously injured. Appreciate any updates you can provide.

[Dleestable]

I don't believe anyone was seriously hurt.  I called and they said everyone was ok.

[vegas jay]

That's great news. On TVG they said there was a bad break that completely scattered the field in every direction, horses were coming down the stretch without drivers, etc. I'm really happy that apparently the drivers and horses came out of it OK.

[sleepless]

The ABC 7 news was at Balmoral interviewing Oosting and Buter about the accident.  I'm told the interview along with footage of the wreck will be aired  on ABC 7 news tomorrow morning.

[Jeepers]

The ABC 7 news was at Balmoral interviewing Oosting and Buter about the accident.  I'm told the interview along with footage of the wreck will be aired  on ABC 7 news tomorrow morning.

Moses Hanover, post one, with Oosting, and Pappy, post seven, with Del Pletcher, left hard, and Pappy was in the 2-hole as Oosting ripped off the half in 55.4 (awfully fast for weak horses on a good track).

It looked to me like Pappy went down on his own when Pletcher came to the outside in the stretch. But maybe Oosting's horse had something to do with it. The field was, not surprisingly, gapped well behind them. Then all hell broke loose, and everyone ran onto the track. Glad the drivers are OK. The horses?

[jrstark]

Pappy went down when Moses Hanover made a break according to the release by TK:
http://www.barntowire.com/2009/BPnotes090513.html

All drivers and horses are OK.

[sleepless]

In Illinois, how many horses must finish in order for the race to be offical?  Wondering why in the hell all the people ran onto the track before the race was finished?  I know the wreck looked bad, but the race was still in progress and the drivers not involved should have completed the race. What happens to that purse  money?   

Anyhow,  someone was watching over the drivers tonight!

[Dleestable]

In Illinois, how many horses must finish in order for the race to be offical? 

I really don't know, but at Maywood a few years back my horse won after a wreck and there were only two finishers.  A million years ago at a fair in Illinois there was a bad wreck and our horse was the only one not involved, she won and got the purse. I don't know if there is a standing rule for it, but I am sure there is somewhere.

[bowserkat]

Several other drivers were unseated and the horse loose on the track .  Another horse, running inside the pylons looked to have a damaged sulky and the driver pulled him up.  The people jumping the fence went to assist that horse and driver.  Have seen many wrecks and spills, but this was the first I've seen where no horse actually crossed the finish line.

[Tannor]

Donna,

What fair was that? Mayor can help us out with this.

Tannor

[Dleestable]

Tannor,

   It was the Decatur fair, I am sure you weren't even born yet.   

[race track phil]

        I'm pretty sure the rule use to be 3 horses had to finish the race !

        I'm curious on what is the rule today ?

                                            RTP