Fonner Park, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — A freak accident resulted in a racing mishap that occurred in the eighth and final race of the Sunday, March 3, afternoon of racing at Fonner Park. Four people were injured, and three horses died.
As the field of eight fillies and mares raced into the far turn, the #3 horse ran up onto the heels of the #4 horse racing directly in front of her and clipped heels. This caused #3 to fall along with her jockey, Ricardo Martinez. This initiated the #5 horse to fall with her jockey John Jude, and the #8 horse to fall with jockey Bryan McNeil.
As the race continued, #5 (Spry Charlie) got up and began to run riderless in the opposite direction on the racetrack. As the race was nearing completion, outrider Bo Butler was on his patrol horse near the first turn and was able to catch Spry Charlie as she approached the oncoming field of racehorses at the race completion.
Just as Butler had gathered-up Spry Charlie, the field of horses raced by Butler after the finish. Horse #8 (JPs Harley Glider) ,who got up after she fell in the far turn, ran riderless behind the field of horses in front of her. Just as she passed this finish line, she collided at near full speed with Bo Butler on his horse as he was containing Spry Charlie.
Bo Butler’s horse was euthanized on the track as a result of the incident, as was JPs Harley Glider. Ricardo Martinez’s mount. #3 Dial Uncle Joey died on the racetrack believed as the result of a broken neck from the fall.
All jockeys were coherent when transported to CHI/St. Francis Medical Center. Bo Butler was also conscious upon reaching the hospital.
“It makes me sick to my stomach to see any horse or its rider be involved in such a horrifying tragedy. Sunday’s accident was a stark reminder of the ever-present hazard of horseracing. The jockeys and outrider were performing their dangerous professions, which the vast majority of the time ends without incident,” said Chris Kotulak, Fonner Park CEO. “I was pleased to see the incredibly quick reaction from all of the first responders. All of my staff, security and the emergency medical personnel did exactly what they have been trained to do.”
Kotulak issued an injury report March 4 on four people injured:
Jockey John Jude sustained a finger fracture, and was treated and released from the hospital.
Jockey Ricardo Martinez was treated and released from the hospital. He is undergoing standard concussion follow-up protocol.
Jockey Bryan McNeil will undergo surgery March 4 for a fractured humerus bone in his arm. He also suffered a separated shoulder.
Outrider Bo Butler is undergoing standard concussion follow-up protocol. He sustained a pneumothorax injury (air between lung and chest wall) and significant bruising on entire left side of his body.
