HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: racing123 on July 31, 2023, 12:13:47 AM
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It's being reported that the wing of the starting gate car got too close to the crowd and struck driver Richard S Finn's 5 yr old daughter in the head...she was airlifted to a St Louis trauma center...please pray for this precious child and the Finn family...also there's a gofundme out there...you can search "the Finn Family" and you'll find it...God be with this young child and heal her...
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This is tragic news. There was a similar situation years ago during jug week in which a drivers wife was hit by it. It will be interesting to see what the investigation reveals! I pray that this injured child makes a speedy and successful recovery!🙏🙏🙏
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Looking at news reports, which are rather lacking in detail. Seeing something about a mechanical failure causing the gate to "fly" into grandstand as the little girl was in front throwing something away. Such a bizarre, freaky thing to happen and if in fact it was the starters own daughter, the odds seem beyond incredible. Very sad, praying for her and all involved.
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Tragic. Harm to young children is very disturbing to me. I can forgo a wager to contribute $25 to this family. Often these situations are quite financially taxing to a family. I hope other punters on here can do the same.
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Just awful news
hope she pulls through.
Wishing the GO FUND ME lots of business.
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Looking at Effingham county fair harness racing you tube footage, from few years back...i see the start car 'folds in' the unused outside portion of gate, looks like slots 5-8....With just inside wing for horse 1-4 and three trailers = 7 starters...again, vid from few yrs back. And maybe thats how lots of fairground racing operates.
1)
Was it the unused portion of their gate possibly that accidentally opened and clipped the crowd along fence on the tight track??
2)
-were there muddy 'start car traction' conditions?
..total speculation. We await authorities OFFICIAL word.
God Bless the little Finn girl and family
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very big lawsuit coming
against few people
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This is incredibly horrific. for any spectator to be involved.
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very big lawsuit coming
against few people
Yes. Though from what ive seen over the yrs is always question of whether sued have adequate insurance or deep pockets personally. Doubt this family has medical insurance.Those costs could be astronomical. Plus and more significant now the family will need $ until any settlement of litigation for loss of work and hotel accomodations at trauma center.
Illinois horsemen organizing go fundme; had goal of 10 k, 28 k already contributed.
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https://www.gofundme.com/f/m346t-the-finn-family
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whats the condition of the little girl anyone know ?
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very big lawsuit coming
against few people
Thanks for your concern about THE LITTLE GIRL!
ASSHOLE!
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whats the condition of the little girl anyone know ?
She passed
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What a tragedy! Terrible news weather you know the family or not. Condolences to the Finn family.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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May the little girl Rest In Peace and condolences to the Finn family.
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as of 1130a et
34,500 Go Fund Me thus far.
God Bless this little one Harper Finn
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very big lawsuit coming
against few people
I hope Tim Carey is 1 of the named defendants. Doesn't Hawthorne oversee the fairs? Or, is it just Springfield and Duquesne? Or neither/none these days?
Bob Carey would be heartbroken knowing his nephew was such a screw-up.
To the Finn family my deepest sympathy.
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Is it me or does it seem like every day something bad happens in harness racing like horses abuse or people dying people fighting stiffing and bad karma? I mean this is so sad and makes me wonder how in the heck can stuff like this happen? Like lucpark said someone is going to get there ass sued off and have to pay out big money. None of the Finn family will ever have to race another horse since theyll be hitting the lottery with this lawsuit. BILLIONS! JF
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Man whoever the insurance company is has to know they are paying out some big bucks and might as well go out of business. Finn family about to get some serious coin. They’ll be able to buy every yearling at walkers farm next month if they want
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You just showed what kind of person you are. Buying yearlings with blood money is all you could come up with. tmbz1
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Man whoever the insurance company is has to know they are paying out some big bucks and might as well go out of business. Finn family about to get some serious coin. They’ll be able to buy every yearling at walkers farm next month if they want
Yearlings cant replace human life. This girl is harmed for life.
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Oh my Goodness, did i hear some people say the little girl didn't make it? Ugh, I am sick to my stomach
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Is it me or does it seem like every day something bad happens in harness racing like horses abuse or people dying people fighting stiffing and bad karma? I mean this is so sad and makes me wonder how in the heck can stuff like this happen? Like lucpark said someone is going to get there ass sued off and have to pay out big money. None of the Finn family will ever have to race another horse since theyll be hitting the lottery with this lawsuit. BILLIONS! JF
This isnt a billion dollar suit. What planet are you on? This is a about a $3.5-$5.0M case if that should settle in the neighborhood of 2.-2.7M, Billions? are you fucking real...
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This isnt a billion dollar suit. What planet are you on? This is a about a $3.5-$5.0M case if that should settle in the neighborhood of 2.-2.7M, Billions? are you fucking real...
hey bro i was just saying its sad but they gonna get plenty of money to buy some yearlings like they never had before. however much they get its not enough you cant put a price on a life expecially a child. and to make matters worse the girls grandpa just died a month ago. its sad but like lucpark said earlier someone is gonna pay a big lawsuit JF
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WAS SICK TO HEAR THAT LITTLE HARPER PASSED AWAY FROM A STUPID ACT. THIS SHOULDNT OF HAPPENED. PRAYERS TO THE ENTIRE FINN FAMILY AND MAY SHE REST IN PEACE. RICK IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO FOR YOU OR YOUR FAMILY PLEASE HIT ME UP. TAKE CARE
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Man whoever the insurance company is has to know they are paying out some big bucks and might as well go out of business. Finn family about to get some serious coin. They’ll be able to buy every yearling at walkers farm next month if they want
May a loved one of yours never passes away!
And you don't have to read a comment like this!
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May a loved one of yours never passes away!
And you don't have to read a comment like this!
Wdym?
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Wdym?
Wdym? Guy loses his daughter to a horrific accident and you're commenting on how many yearlings he's going to be able to buy because of it!
Pretty Lame if you ask me!
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RIP. Terrible tragedy.
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It's official Larry is the new Senator Paul of stupid. Supports Bourgault and cant see a child died no amount of money will ever replace that. What a depraved fruit loop.
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Condolences to the Rick Finn family from the Hochstetlers and friends. Your little angel is in heaven. So sad 😞
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I been reading that she didn't die, and that was mistakingly reported, gosh I hope that is true.
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Husted told us the troopers showed up with a forensics lab truck. They put a lemon shake up cup in an evidence bag and sealed it. The cup was near the car. Husted said if there's Jack Daniel's residue in the cup there will be an investigation 10 times bigger than the one they got now. I hope Roy is ok in all this.
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Wdym? Guy loses his daughter to a horrific accident and you're commenting on how many yearlings he's going to be able to buy because of it!
Pretty Lame if you ask me!
I apologize but I would never want to see a child or anyone for that matter die. You’re right. I just wasn’t thinking. Prayers to the family and I am now reading better news on this thread that maybe the little girl did not die. Con any of the ploppers confirm if the little girl is okay or not?
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GO FUND ME
$53,660 as of 9p tonight central
a real good thing
r.i.p. little one.
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Husted told us the troopers showed up with a forensics lab truck. They put a lemon shake up cup in an evidence bag and sealed it. The cup was near the car. Husted said if there's Jack Daniel's residue in the cup there will be an investigation 10 times bigger than the one they got now. I hope Roy is ok in all this.
The Starter and his driver were required to blow the box prior to getting in the car at a few places I've been. It's been a minute since I've heard if they still do or not. For a trooper to bag a cup, it had to smell like alcohol or had seeds and stems residew.
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I hope Tim Carey is 1 of the named defendants. Doesn't Hawthorne oversee the fairs? Or, is it just Springfield and Duquesne? Or neither/none these days?
Bob Carey would be heartbroken knowing his nephew was such a screw-up.
To the Finn family my deepest sympathy.
I believe the fairs are under the Dept of Ag. Such a sad story may she RIP. One of those things that should never happen.
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-delicate
Seen two reports out mon eve she's still with us, in critical condition. Everyone just wants to be sure. If she is, prayers pulling for her are strong tonight.
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-delicate
Seen two reports out mon eve she's still with us, in critical condition. Everyone just wants to be sure. If she is, prayers pulling for her are strong tonight.
I hope so. I hope i was told wrong.
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I am looking at local news reports as recent as 11pm last night stating that Harper is 5 years old and is still alive, bur fighting for her life in very critical condition. Can we get something definitive?we are praying for her and the family.....
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3 or 4 hours ago, the young girl's grandma Rikki Soteras Finn posted on her FB page "Please keep praying for my granddaughter. I believe in miracles."
so, everyone keep praying please...
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Sending prayers and miracles to Harper Finn and her family.
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3 or 4 hours ago, the young girl's grandma Rikki Soteras Finn posted on her FB page "Please keep praying for my granddaughter. I believe in miracles."
so, everyone keep praying please...
Ty for that update God bless you, Harper
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As of 8.40a tue central
$61,665
IHHA Go Fund Me Harper Finn
..good news that.
Prayer from Canada this am
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As of 8.40a tue central
$61,665
IHHA Go Fund Me Harper Finn
..good news that.
Prayer from Canada this am
Ira tried to donate $3 using his Montgomery Wards credit card but it was rejected. Bobby can't afford to make a donation at this time. All his cash is tied up in Busch Light, CBD oil, and fentanyl...but that 1 is just for special occasions. If John Bernard sez it's ok maybe they can mooch his PayPal?
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Here's a unique idea.
Why don't we all agree:
a) that this was a terrible tragedy.
b) to suspend the second guessing and constant bickering in this thread.
c) to send some money to help the Finn family?
Just a thought.
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Sending prayers and miracles to Harper Finn and her family.
I second that motion.
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Glad to hear she’s not dead. Prayers to the family and little Harper. God works miracles!!!!!! Get well soon Harper. tmbz1
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Man whoever the insurance company is has to know they are paying out some big bucks and might as well go out of business. Finn family about to get some serious coin. They’ll be able to buy every yearling at walkers farm next month if they want
PRETTY SURE THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE THEIR CHILD BACK, THEY ARE NEVER GONNA CELEBRATE ANY MONEY THEY RECEIVE FROM THIS DONT BE DESPICABLE
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Is it me or does it seem like every day something bad happens in harness racing like horses abuse or people dying people fighting stiffing and bad karma? I mean this is so sad and makes me wonder how in the heck can stuff like this happen? Like lucpark said someone is going to get there ass sued off and have to pay out big money. None of the Finn family will ever have to race another horse since theyll be hitting the lottery with this lawsuit. BILLIONS! JF
Most people who race horses dont do it for the money, only a few in it to get big, for most its in their blood passed on from generation down, and is all they ever done or want to do, i don't know them personally but i know it's a life long family affair for them as well, i suppose they can choose to do what ever they want, this is a very tragic accident that could have happened to anyone , same as the other recent accidents, the raceing community is very large and people here events taking place faster and moreso but just like people getting injured at a amusement park or any other entity accidents certainly unfortunately happen and does not have ANYTHING to do wifh Karma, Accidents are not Karma and people fighting and cheating take it upon themselves to do such actions it's their stupid choices and Karma does and will get the cheaters and Abusers eventually just because we dont know about it doesn't mean it didn't or wont happen Karma comes in all kinds of forms
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Still trying to wrap my brain around this one.
Noticed no apron at this track, stands are separated from racing surface by a concrete barrier which looks to be 4' tall or so. The gate looks to be a little higher than this barrier.
They probably should scrub the photo on their homepage showing the starting car parked next to the stands...
Prayers to all involved in this horrible, horrible tragedy.
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I am looking at local news reports as recent as 11pm last night stating that Harper is 5 years old and is still alive, bur fighting for her life in very critical condition. Can we get something definitive?we are praying for her and the family.....
Hmm, just pray as if she still here
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Sad to report and according to the news. That Harper Finn did pass away today.
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https://lovingtributesonline.com/2023/08/01/harper-finn-obituary-altamont-il-5-year-old-dies-after-being-struck-by-harness-race-starting-gate-during-funfair-death/
What a doll. This is devastating. She was in the arms of her grandma when the accident too place. God bless you Harper and the rest of the Finn family.
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https://lovingtributesonline.com/2023/08/01/harper-finn-obituary-altamont-il-5-year-old-dies-after-being-struck-by-harness-race-starting-gate-during-funfair-death/
What a doll. This is devastating. She was in the arms of her grandma when the accident too place. God bless you Harper and the rest of the Finn family.
Does this link work for anyone?
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🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Harper Finn Obituary Altamont IL, 5-year-old dies after being struck by Harness race starting gate during funfair
August 1, 2023
Harper Finn Obituary Altamont IL, 5-year-old dies after being struck by Harness race starting gate during funfair
Harper Finn Accident, Death, Obituary, GoFundMe – At the Effingham County Fair, the upcoming week was going to be extra exciting for Harper Finn, who is only 5 years old. She was one of the numerous Little Misses who had practised their performances and were ready to take the runway walk on the show stage on Tuesday night. On a Sunday afternoon, the inhabitant of Altamont was preparing to head out to the racecourse with her grandma to see the beginning of the harness races.
Then, during the first race on July 30 at approximately 1 p.m., the unthinkable occurred when the starting gate attached to a pace car for the harness racers stretched into the grandstand after colliding with a building on the far right side of the track. This caused the spectators in the stands to be injured. Harper was being held by her grandma when she was hit by the gate and yanked away from her.
The gravely injured kid was immediately attended to by emergency medical personnel, and after she was stable enough for transport, she was taken by ambulance to HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham. From there, she was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital via medical emergency helicopter.
Phil Hartke, president of the freestar Effingham County Fair Board, stated on Monday that Harper remained in a serious condition and was receiving life support. Before the beginning of the tractor and truck pulls on Monday night at the fairgrounds, he asked for a minute of silence and prayers for Harper as he remembered Harper. That evening, there was a very moving moment that occurred.
According to Hartke, the driver of the pace car had a significant amount of familiarity with the starting gate. The mishap did not cause any other patrons in the grandstand to sustain injuries.
In order to show respect for the Finn family, who have a long history of being involved with fair racing at the Altamont track, harness racing has been cancelled for the remainder of the county fair.
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just the worst.
R.I.P. little one.
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RIP
😢😢😢
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Rest In Peace little one. Condolences to the Finn Family.
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Oh dear.
Unthinkable.
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I lost a 2 year old niece in feb after she choked to death on a lithium battery. Its devastating. What the Finn family is going through right now is horrific and my heart breaks for them.
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Rest In Peace Harper. Sorry for your loss Rikki and the entire Finn family.
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Sorry for your loss. I was reminded that the grandmother was the woman who worked the winner's circle at Balmoral and Hawthorne by 1 of my partners who lives in Chicago. Praying for the family.
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I don't know why, but this death hits me HARD. I have only raced in Illinois a very few times, and that was a long time ago. But the Finn name is well known, and somehow this just hits so close to home.
Hug your kids and grandkids. One never knows.
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I don't know why, but this death hits me HARD. I have only raced in Illinois a very few times, and that was a long time ago. But the Finn name is well known, and somehow this just hits so close to home.
Hug your kids and grandkids. One never knows.
Good advise. I think it hits us all in many different ways. Maybe more so when its such a young life and the accident was most likely avoidable. Very heart breaking.
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Good advise. I think it hits us all in many different ways. Maybe more so when its such a young life and the accident was most likely avoidable. Very heart breaking.
So sad that I still can’t understand how in the heck something like this can happen.
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they just had a prayer vigil in effingham this afternoon...prett y sure she has not yet passed..not sure of her condition...lotta conflicting stories out there...keep praying for the Finns
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i saw this on illinois horseman's jackson loy's facebook page...lotta people pulling for this family!!
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they just had a prayer vigil in effingham this afternoon...prett y sure she has not yet passed..not sure of her condition...lotta conflicting stories out there...keep praying for the Finns
Whats up with the fake news on this then???
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A fake Obituary has gone viral for some reason , but as of yesterday she is still fighting and everyone needs to pray, regardless of what you believe, Prayers work and she's a child so pray harder 🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Prayers to Harper and her family. Hoping there is no truth to the news!
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Prayers to Harper and her family. Hoping there is no truth to the news!
Same, I keep seeing conflicting info. Regardless this is a second tragedy for fair horsemen after what happened to the Winters boy.