Meadows accident race 11

[jupiter]

Move the handholds up, and sit up. Ya can't see and it's tough to keep on upright without scraping your helmet on the track. It happens so fast, ya can't reach up and grab the buckle.

[Stan durbread]

Very sad. Didn’t know him but sad. All I’d like to say is if these drivers would move there hand holds up to normal position so they can steer away from danger. He couldn’t move the handholds were in his and others backs   And who invented this stupid ness of post parading holding the buckles and hand hold are behind them.  This tragedy could’ve been avoided.

Fuck you. In that situation it wouldn’t have mattered

[Parked]

Fuck you. In that situation it wouldn’t have mattered

Well, it couldn’t have been much worse.  Give it a chance, time for the judges to enforce the leaning back rule. 

[Stan durbread]

Well, it couldn’t have been much worse.  Give it a chance, time for the judges to enforce the leaning back rule.

There is no leaning back rule. Oh and im guessing you have never sat in a newer race bike they are designed that way for lift and aerodynamics

[dinkadoo]

Move the handholds up, and sit up. Ya can't see and it's tough to keep on upright without scraping your helmet on the track. It happens so fast, ya can't reach up and grab the buckle.

watching the video -- the handholds were in Palone's lap when the horse took a bad step --- you will see after about the third step, the handholds were up by his chin.....

Would it make a difference ?? I am not experienced enough to know if it would.... but it's been talked about for decades since the cheetah was in use and everyone laying back.... Often talked about nothing done..... Often mentioned it would take a death to get the handholds mandatorily moved up....

There was a photo from Hunter's girlfriend posted on facebook, her holding his hand, and praising him as a father.... that took courage.... may she stay strong.

[Stan durbread]

watching the video -- the handholds were in Palone's lap when the horse took a bad step --- you will see after about the third step, the handholds were up by his chin.....

Would it make a difference ?? I am not experienced enough to know if it would.... but it's been talked about for decades since the cheetah was in use and everyone laying back.... Often talked about nothing done..... Often mentioned it would take a death to get the handholds mandatorily moved up....

There was a photo from Hunter's girlfriend posted on facebook, her holding his hand, and praising him as a father.... that took courage.... may she stay strong.

Palone has been driving like that for 20+ years

[dinkadoo]

Palone has been driving like that for 20+ years

true true -- and many others, handholds in the lap --- remarkably ( For Palone's sake ) with no help, this horse was able to stay on his feet or the Palone would've benn ran over by a train of horses.

[JENNY FROM THE BLOCK]

do you think anyone involved will be a lil gun shy to get back behind the gate? are these guys going to have ptsd?  this is a dangerous game.  1000 lb animals going fast. there is very little protection for drivers.

[Pacer 2]

Do they need better helmets?

[Birdfantammy]

do you think anyone involved will be a lil gun shy to get back behind the gate? are these guys going to have ptsd?  this is a dangerous game.  1000 lb animals going fast. there is very little protection for drivers.

I was thinking the same thing.  I was surprised that some tracks ran that night and next day as well.  Thinking maybe they should have just cancelled all harness racing the following day.  I''d imagine it had to be hard for all drivers to race that night and next day.   

It is a dangerous sport.  Seen many drivers tossed from the bike and ran over by horses.  There was the one at Yonkers a year or so back where 3 or 4 drivers were seriously hurt.  One of them was in the hospital for a long time and still to this day recovering from it. 

[Birdfantammy]

Do they need better helmets?

I believe they did improve the helmets.  Unfortunately being launched from the bike in the manner he was, not sure if any helmet could have protected him.  I was thinking more like seat belts?  Maybe these guys need to be strapped in better.  Seeing too many guys being launched from the bike in accidents.

[JENNY FROM THE BLOCK]

yes helmets are great. and they can prevent a serious injury.  with that being said it only protects very little of the body. even vest. yes they will help some but still the drivers are super vulnerable in a wreck.
 i wonder if any changes will be made. im not sure what changes could be made. driver are just in  dangerous position anytime they take the track.
if i were one of the drivers involved id seriously have to reconsider going out there again. the money is great for the top guys. but it isnt everything.

[jupiter]

Strap them in, seat belts. NO THANKS!! More dangerous!!! The only time i've seen that was when the bungeed Case's foot in the stirrup so he couldn't kick. How many drivers have broken  their seats so the can lay back farther? I actually remember when you had to have your bike inspected and they put a sticker on it at the Meadowlands. 

[Scooteroo]

If you were around when they had the single shaft sulky, the drivers sat so far back they were almost flat on their back during the race.

[Parked]

If you were around when they had the single shaft sulky, the drivers sat so far back they were almost flat on their back during the race.

Look how far back the driver is compared to the the old bikes.  It also allows the horse on top an extra. 2 x3 ft..  all in the desire to make the horses go faster and faster.  Speed sells stud fees.  Another USTA (breeder run outfit)  not looking at safety factors.