HORSEPLOP.COM
General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: GlenMidby on June 24, 2023, 04:03:23 PM
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One that I will never forget was the Hollywood Park (circa August/September 1982) accident that would ultimately claim the life of Sheldon “Shelly” Goudreau.
Shelly was catch driving pacer Regan's Lad, when it appeared that one of the lines snapped, and “he lost control and then his balance,” Steve Schuelein, Hollywood Park Spokesman, said; “he tried to jump clear but he only managed to half jump and half fall as he bailed out.”
Shelly suffered fatal head injuries that the wholly inadequate helmets drivers wore in those days did little to prevent; some say it contributed to the severity of his injury.
I cannot say I know for sure, but I seem to recall that Shelly’s tragic death was at least part of the impetus for the development of the new-and-improved helmets drivers wear today.
Here's a link to the 1981 Hollywood Park American Pacing Classic; RIP, Shelly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GepLOZuA_tk
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It is a nice Sat. afternoon.
Please lets not bring up tragedies.
I have been face down on the track to often.
Peter Haughton was a friend.
Glen Garnsey and Bill Haughton were my Idols.
Thank You
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It is a nice Sat. afternoon.
Please lets not bring up tragedies.
I have been face down on the track to often.
Peter Haughton was a friend.
Glen Garnsey and Bill Haughton were my Idols.
Thank You
tmbz1
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It is a nice Sat. afternoon.
Please lets not bring up tragedies.
I have been face down on the track to often.
Peter Haughton was a friend.
Glen Garnsey and Bill Haughton were my Idols.
Thank You
My friends also as was Wayne Smullin and Hal Belote
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WATCHING SPORTSMAN PARK CLOSE
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No offense intended.
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WATCHING SPORTSMAN PARK CLOSE
tmbz1 tmbz1 tmbz1
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My friends also as was Wayne Smullin and Hal Belote
Ditto
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Hal beloved rip...died at Harrington or dover..I watched that race online
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When me and my buddy Bernard forgot to take the burr off a head pole.
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I saw Ira Smolin miss out on the last piece of chocolate cake in the Lincoln dining room buffet at Balmoral once. He cried like a 5 year old who had his lollipop stolen. He went running to Jim Hannon to complain he was cheated. His toenails were yellow in his Jesus sandals so I skipped dessert. ngc3 ngc3 ngc3
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A driver by the name of Victor Reeves win a race at Monticello, and 30 feet past the wire he dropped dead and fell off the sulky.. he went out a winner
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A driver by the name of Victor Reeves win a race at Monticello, and 30 feet past the wire he dropped dead and fell off the sulky.. he went out a winner
Roy Riddick at Brandywine died in the bike driving a horse named Cyclone. I can’t recall who was next to him finishing (4th) but said he was gone before the wire.
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Frank Rende died the same way years ago at rosecroft I think
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Tells us how each and everyday must be enjoyed.
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Glen you absolutely did not offend Anyone you just made the story too long and the 80yr olds on here are used to one or two lines of reading before they flush.
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i saw Cat Manzi get taken off the track via ambulance twice at freehold--seemingly at the same spot-at the top of the stretch
thankfully he survived both incidents
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I was at Hollywood Park when Godreau went down. I'll never forget he was actually getting up right after the incident before he collapsed again right on the track. Terrible tragedy.
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July 15, 1988 Roosevelt Raceway, Westbury, NY. The closed.
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I was at the Meadowlands for two close calls. The first was an accident where I thought Jack Parker Jr was dead. He has made the most incredible recovery in what may be the greatest in harness racing history. The second close call was on a Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands where John Campbell went down hard. It was very scary from the old grandstand. Thank goodness he only broke his elbow and other secondary injuries.
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Leigh Fitch getting launched from his bike when his horse fell at Scarborough.
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I was at the Meadowlands for two close calls. The first was an accident where I thought Jack Parker Jr was dead. He has made the most incredible recovery in what may be the greatest in harness racing history. The second close call was on a Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands where John Campbell went down hard. It was very scary from the old grandstand. Thank goodness he only broke his elbow and other secondary injuries.
might have been when a top trotter named Florida Jewel went down--cant recall vivdly but it was a sunday afternoon
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Since someone said Roosevelt Raceway, let’s add Pompano Park Sunday April 17, 2022!!
I actually dressed in black for a funeral!!
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watchin maywood one day when i lived in chicago when homer and steve pletcher i think caused some kind of wreck and vince tambnorello to catapult in the air and smash his head on the inside rail drainage ditch that was made of concrete. it split his helmet in half and he died instantly. vinny was well liked by eveyone and a good fella. the mob had a seious talk with home and pletcher even tho vinny died that day at mcneil memorial hospital
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How many died at roosevelt..I know dunkley did...Haughton yonkers...
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Haughton, Goudreau and Smullen were all wearing a Caliente helmet (which, after the fact was discovered to be no more durable than a child's bicycle helmet.) After Haughton's death in 1986, the following study was conducted to help prevent this in the future: (copied from the abstract at the NIH):
"A case of a harness racing accident in which the driver died of head injuries is presented. To evaluate the victim's head injury and corresponding helmet damage, a videotape of the race was reviewed and analyzed. Based on calculations of a simplified trajectory analysis and testing of the helmet, it was determined that the helmet design did not provide adequate protection for the victim.
The standards for harness helmet design are being re-eval-uated by the harness racing industry to ensure the safety of the drivers. A review of 178 harness racing injuries and deaths, current harness helmet research, and recommendations for safer helmets are discussed. A protocol for the forensic investigation of sports-related injuries and/or deaths is also presented to assist medical examiners in fulfilling their roles as practitioners of preventive medicine.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 8(3):p 185-207, September 1987."
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watchin maywood one day when i lived in chicago when homer and steve pletcher i think caused some kind of wreck and vince tambnorello to catapult in the air and smash his head on the inside rail drainage ditch that was made of concrete. it split his helmet in half and he died instantly. vinny was well liked by eveyone and a good fella. the mob had a seious talk with home and pletcher even tho vinny died that day at mcneil memorial hospital
I was there also almost right in front of it don't believe he died right away if my memory is correct at my old age they brought him back a few times before he actually passed they announced it on the radio station that would play the races later that night
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Windsor fair several years ago when the Gaye failed to close and hit spectators just after start going into turn 1