Harness: Zeron, Bartlett hurt in accident at Yonkers

Drivers Scott Zeron and Jason Bartlett were sent flying to the track in the fourth race at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday (August 6) when Bartlett’s horse made contact with the wheel of the horse directly in front of him and caused an incident that unseated the two drivers.

Both men were transported to local hospitals and are currently recovering from various injuries. Zeron has a small L2-L3 fracture but will not require surgery. Bartlett remains in the hospital awaiting chest x-rays as he has air in his lungs from the impact. He also has an issue with his AC Joint in his shoulder and bumps and bruises.

Zeron said he would be out of action for a couple of weeks, including missing Hambletonian Day (Aug. 8) at The Meadowlands, but is in minimal pain and structurally fine. Bartlett was resigned to the fact that he likely won’t be able to compete on the Hambletonian card.

“The way I feel right now I can barely move,” said Bartlett, who added that his chest was starting to feel better. “The timing is as bad as it could get.”

Zeron was scheduled to compete in 15 races on Hambletonian Day including handling the morning-line favorite Nezuko Kamado S (2-1) in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks and the aptly named It Could Be Worse (8-1) in the $1,000,000 Hambletonian. Bartlett has 14 drives on Saturday, with assignments in the Oaks with Custom (8-1) and the Hambletonian with Spencer Hanover (20/1).