In The Sulky Forum

General Category => General Harness Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Headpole Dave on July 15, 2014, 08:43:22 PM

Title: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: Headpole Dave on July 15, 2014, 08:43:22 PM

It's Lobster Carnival Week at Summerside, the second biggest week of racing after Gold Cup and Saucer Week.

Tonight, off the start of one of the races, the outside wing didn't fold properly, came swinging in dangerously toward the infield and just missed hitting some horses. As it snapped in, it also broke part of a piece off that fell on to the track. Somehow all horses in the race managed to avoid hitting that piece, other than one who had no choice but to drive directly over the mangled wing. Scary scary stuff. I have a video of the replay, but I'll wait and see if anything is released to the public. Scary scary incident, great job by all of the drivers to prevent any serious accidents, happy to report all horses and drivers are okay. Never saw anything like that before.

Title: Re: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: careless hal on July 16, 2014, 08:16:08 AM

It can be a dangerous sport.  That's all we know for sure.

Title: Re: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: Headpole Dave on July 16, 2014, 11:25:05 AM

Race was declared a no contest.

The feature race Tuesday evening at Red Shores Summerside was declared a no contest after the starting gate wing fell off at the beginning of the race.

Outside the Wire, driven by Brodie MacPhee, suffered some scrapes and bruises in the mishap. There were no other injuries.

Title: Re: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: MichiganDale on July 16, 2014, 12:51:43 PM

Not related to the mishap but I suspect many posters have little first hand knowledge of Summerside and most  have not been there.  I have been there.   Very countrylike atmosphere, very friendly place and people.   Racing for small purses but loving it were the horsemen.  It was a really good feel and people were very welcoming.   Liked it a lot.  I have a nice coffee mug from Summerside at our home and see it almost daily which brings back fond memories of Summerside, Charlottetown, the whole PEI experience.....We'd go again if the opportunity presented itself.

Title: Re: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: Bettor on July 22, 2014, 09:22:18 PM

Quote from: MichiganDale on July 16, 2014, 12:51:43 PM

Not related to the mishap but I suspect many posters have little first hand knowledge of Summerside and most  have not been there.  I have been there.   Very countrylike atmosphere, very friendly place and people.   Racing for small purses but loving it were the horsemen.  It was a really good feel and people were very welcoming.   Liked it a lot.  I have a nice coffee mug from Summerside at our home and see it almost daily which brings back fond memories of Summerside, Charlottetown, the whole PEI experience.....We'd go again if the opportunity presented itself.

I agree.

Charlottetown has Old Home Week every August (aka Canada's Little Brown Jug week :)

Title: Re: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: Headpole Dave on July 23, 2014, 08:34:34 AM

Here's the video of the gate falling -

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/PEI/ID/2474603659/

And the video of the 2014 Governor's Plate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0H7lS1uj5c&list=UUkhBqbxs8CbO-vYxKROF73g

Title: Re: Summerside Race Way - Starting Gate Malfunction
Post by: beans and weenies on July 23, 2014, 05:02:20 PM

that could've been sooooo bad.  Thank goodness it wasn't.  scary stuff.