MANALAPAN,
NJ – January 14, 2014 – Rick Wills of Rick’s Saddle Shop and Purina have come
to the aid of the six drivers injured in a dramatic spill in the fifth race on
January 10 at Freehold Raceway.
Approached
by the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, Wills and
Purina responded with a $700 gift certificate, redeemable for Purina Equine
Feed, for each of the injured drivers: Cat Manzi, Debra Rucker, Vincent
Ginsburg, Chris Scicluna, Jim Pantaleano and Rick Pantano.
“The
SBOANJ went to Rick for his help, and he and Purina were quick to step up and
offer something that will help these horsemen get back on their feet,” said
SBOANJ President Tom Luchento. “We greatly appreciate their solid effort
on behalf of these horsemen. Hopefully, there will be others who will
make similar offers.”
Rick’s
Saddle Shops are located in Cream Ridge and Englishtown, NJ.
The
dramatic spill unseated all six drivers when the starting gate car lost control
and slid into the field as it entered the first turn. Hall of Famer Manzi
and Rucker are still hospitalized. Manzi has multiple broken ribs and a
punctured lung while Rucker has a leg injury.
The
accident will be the subject of a special meeting of horsemen and track
management on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 in the Renaissance Room at Freehold
Raceway at 4 p.m.
-Submitted
by Carol Hodes for SBOANJ
