MANALAPAN,
NJ – November 24, 2013 – Jim Pantaleano instigated the fundraising effort, and
both Freehold Raceway and the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of
New Jersey matched funds to raise more than $5,000 on Saturday, November 23,
2013 to benefit injured harness driver Anthony Coletta.
Pantaleano
made the pledge to donate his five percent fee as a driver in all 13 of
Freehold’s races on Saturday. That totaled $463.
Meanwhile,
the SBOANJ and Freehold agreed to match his donation and those of any other
drivers and trainers on the program. The result was $2,520 in fees and an
equal amount from the SBOANJ and Freehold. Plus there were other donations from
the racing community that well exceeded the $5,040.
The
beneficiary is driver Anthony Coletta, who suffered severe injuries in a racing
accident on November 17, 2013 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
“We
know it is a challenge for horsemen to give up their income for the day, but we
thank all of those who did step up to assist a fallen colleague with this
fundraising effort,” said SBOANJ President Tom Luchento. “
“Many
thanks to Jimmy and Christi Pantaleano for starting the ball rolling and to all
the other horsemen who joined the effort,” said Freehold’s Director of Racing
Karen Fagliarone.
Christi
Pantaleano collected additional cash donations on Saturday, including a
generous gift from the Landy family, to add to the total.
From
the racing fees, Andy Miller was the top money earner and contributor for the
day with $620, followed by Pantaleano’s $463. Other drivers involved were
Nick Surick, Steve Smith, Eric Abbatiello, Jim Marshall and Pat Berry.
Donated training percentages came from Pete Fusco, Ken Hess and Mike Posner.
-Submitted
by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ
