Harness drivers brawl at Freehold Raceway

Louis Cypher · 05-13-2003, 05:51 PM

NJ.com
The Associated Press
5/13/2003, 12:31 p.m. ET

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) — A Hall of Fame harness racing driver suffered a head wound when another driver hit him after a race, authorities said.

The incident Saturday in Freehold Raceway's paddock occurred when Anthony Nunziata, 59, hit Mike Lachance in the head with a racing helmet during a confrontation after the second race, witnesses told police.

Nunziata had been visibly upset about a racing incident, but it wasn't clear if it occurred in that race, according to police Lt. Robert Brightman.

Nunziata's horse, 4-5 favorite Sonny N Matt, finished third in the race. Lachance didn't drive in it.

Lachance, who was elected to the harness racing Hall of Fame in 1995, said he was "trying to calm down a situation" when Nunziata hit him.

"He sucker-punched me with his helmet," Lachance said in a statement issued by Meadowlands Racetrack. "After he hit me, I wrestled him to the ground and had him a headlock. But he just lay there. He didn't even want to fight. But at that point, I had a lot of blood coming out."

Lachance, 52, of Englishtown, sustained a head wound that required 15 stitches to close. He missed the rest of the day's races and was unable to race at the Meadowlands on either Saturday and Sunday.

Nunziata, of Freehold Township, was charged with aggravated assault and released after posting $1,000 bail. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday. He is not listed in the telephone directory.

New Jersey Racing Commission judges will hear testimony Wednesday in a hearing on the incident and could fine or suspend one or both drivers, commission Executive Director Frank Zanzuccki said.

Neither man has any history of violent behavior toward other horsemen, Zanzuccki said.

It is not unusual for drivers to engage in post-race disputes.

"This incident is more serious than the usual confrontation. Usually, it's pushing and shoving; occasionally you'll get a fight or words being exchanged, but this incident appears to be much more serious," Zanzuccki said.

Total Square · 05-13-2003, 05:55 PM

i guess the wrong horse won [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

The Actuary · 05-13-2003, 06:08 PM

Results at Freehold Raceway
Saturday May 10, 2003

Race:1 Win Place Show
1st 1 ITSWRITTENINSTARS 17.60 9.00 8.60
2nd 5 RITCHI N 8.40 8.40
3rd 7 JUSTARIGGER N 16.60
$2 Exacta 1-5 124.20
$2 Trifecta 1-5-7 1203.60
Refunds: None

Race:2 WinPlaceShow
1st 2 SUNDOWNER BOBCAT 61.20 20.80 5.40
2nd 7 RADIANT HUCK 16.80 4.80
3rd 1 SONNY N MATT 3.40

$2 D/Double 1/2 77.20

Not for the guy that bet the double. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

FENWAY · 05-13-2003, 06:13 PM

This is not that big of news , I know someone that work the jockey room at canterbury Park, Lots of stuff goes on in there worst then this.

Total Square · 05-13-2003, 06:32 PM

<< Not for the guy that bet the double >>

wowowowow [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

Grandfather · 05-13-2003, 06:36 PM

Article says the horse was a 4/5 favorite and paid $3.40 to show?

(Nunziata's horse, 4-5 favorite Sonny N Matt, finished third in the race. Lachance didn't drive in it.)

(3rd 1 SONNY N MATT 3.40 )

Something sure stinks!!!!!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

alysheba88 · 05-13-2003, 06:53 PM

Good catch G-father. And look at how little (relative to its odds) that the winner paid to show. Second place horse too.

The DD price is literally criminal

boblynch · 05-13-2003, 07:47 PM

fenway
do you go to canterbury?

FENWAY · 05-13-2003, 08:00 PM

A few times a year do you?

boblynch · 05-13-2003, 11:58 PM

same here, i live about 2 miles from mystic

FENWAY · 05-14-2003, 12:03 AM

Cool live meet starts Friday, Dont get to mystic to often .

Good Luck !

boblynch · 05-14-2003, 02:59 AM

i hardly ever go to mystic.
probably won't make canterbury until june.

timmy · 05-14-2003, 02:36 PM

the double is not surprizing at all.

the 1, 2, 3, get hammered at freehold and other 1/2 mi tracks especially in dd and picks.

combine that with small mutual pools and you get a horrible price.

old as dirt · 05-14-2003, 03:13 PM

Timmy,
Not surprising at all? Find another DD that pays only $77 with a $61 win horse in either half, (not to mention the $17 winner in the other half!).

This race was fixed; the drivers had winning tickets on this DD; your comment implies otherwise and you really know better.