Harness racing accident in Monticello: Drivers hurt, horses walk away

Above: Video of a harness racing accident on the Monticello Raceway on Monday, June 3. Around 0:34, trotter Getthemoney falls, and a half-dozen horses behind him collide with horse and sulky.

Several racetrack drivers were injured in a seven-horse pileup on the Monticello Raceway on Monday afternoon, in a harness race that went awry when the horse Getthemoney -- who was just pulling into second place -- suddenly fell.

Daily Racing Form describes the incident:

The accident occurred during the second race when Get the Money, driven by Jimmy Marohn (Sr.), stumbled and fell in front of the trailing horses. All drivers, except Jimmy Marohn, Jr., who was on the lead with Halfpipe, were involved in the accident.

According to driver Marohn Jr., who took off his drives to head to the hospital with his father, Marohn Sr. suffered a concussion and a wrenched back. Mike Forte was said to have a fractured wrist and five broken ribs. Greg Merton is dealing with bruised ribs. Brad Clouser also has a concussion and is still undergoing tests.

Driver Bruce Aldrich, who was also injured in the accident, told the Times Herald-Record it was the worst wreck he's seen in 27 years of racing:

"This was no trip and fall,'' said Bruce Aldrich Jr., driving Rose Run Ivan two horses behind Getthemoney when it went down. "He just fell, as if somebody had pulled a leg from underneath him.''

Miraculously, no horse in the race suffered any more than minor injuries, the Times Herald-Record reports. The race was declared a no-contest and all bets were refunded.

A horse Aldrich was scheduled to race later in the day, the mare Tracys Song, went on to victory in the 12th race with a last-minute change of driver.