Fort Erie trainer dies in accident

David Schmidt, a prominent trainer at Fort Erie, died Sunday shortly after he was injured on a training farm in Stevensville, Ontario. Schmidt, who would have turned 46 on Monday, was kicked in the back by a horse while he was exiting the stall after a routine feeding.

J and B's Nu Image, claimed for $7,500 from a nonwinners-of-two-lifetime race in July 1999, was probably Schmidt's best runner in a career that began in 1983. The mare, now 8 with earnings of $234,987, has a record of 15 wins from 42 starts.

Schmidt finished eighth in the standings at Fort Erie in 2003 with 22 wins and was sixth in 2002 with 29 winners.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Williams Funeral Home, 722 Ridge North in Ridgeway, Ontario, and then from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hardison Funeral Home, 401 North 4th and Ridge Streets in Lewiston, N.Y.