Punch-up mars record breaking day

Harness drivers Bobby DeGraff and David Burrows Jr are facing potential bans for a bust up that marred last Sunday’s season finale at Vesey Street.

What was otherwise a great day of racing was thrown into chaos when the two rivals began fighting over a “personal” issue that spilled over on to the race track.

DeGraff is alleged to have knocked Burrows unconscious with a blow to the latter’s head that required medical treatment from ambulance personnel who, along with police, were dispatched to the scene.

Driving Horse and Pony Club (DHPC) president Michael Rodriguez said the two drivers now risk having their racing licences revoked for bringing the sport into disrepute.

He said: “No sanctions have been imposed yet because the committees (disciplinary) have just been put together. But they could be banned or disqualified from racing.

Records

“It (fight) was a little bit of a damper because it was such a very good day.  A lot of the stuff that was going on had nothing to do with racing — it was personal. Fortunately it happened right at the end of the day when a lot of the spectators and drivers had already left.”

The distasteful scenes took some of the shine off the record-breaking exploits of Nick DeCosta and Katrina Sims.

Former DHPC president DeCosta, who celebrated his 30th birthday the day before, shattered the mare’s track record with Abbey’s Dream on route to capturing the coveted champion of champions.

He said: “I didn’t expect this one. It was unexpected that she made it to the finals but it all depends on how she feels on the day. She’s really good, but can be a bit unpredictable.

“On the day of the finals she ran the best two heats of her life to break the mares track record in the first heat with a 1:03:4 and then came back and did a 1:04 flat.

“It was a great and memorable day of racing.”

Sims also had a day to remember as she broke her own trotter’s track record on her way to winning the trotters champions of champions with Mr. Indiana.

Amazing

She said: “A lot of us never thought a trotter could go as fast, but we are excited we have one that can.

“He’s an amazing pony, very strong and fast.

“He broke the record last year (1:05:4) and then broke our own record this year with a 1:05 flat so it has been a very good year for him.”

With the exception of the bust up between DeGraff and Burrows, Rodriguez summed up last weekend’s champion of champions racing as a success.

He said: “It was very touch and go right down to the end because the racing was so competitive.

“You didn’t know who was going to win until the end because it all depended on the time (average).

“It was a great weekend of racing.”