Norman fractures neck in accident

Trainer Cole Norman fractured his neck in an accident while riding a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle at his Haughton, La., home on Monday. He remained hospitalized on Tuesday.

Ben Glass, the racing manager for Gary and Mary West Stables, which is one of Norman's largest clients, said Norman's wife, Tamara, told him about the accident.

"Tamara said he was out in the backyard, and somehow he had an accident," said Glass. "She said they did not believe there was any paralysis. If there's one good thing to come of it, I guess that was it."

Norman is expected to be outfitted with a halo to stabilize his neck and spine.

Norman lives near Louisiana Downs, which is located in Bossier City, La. He and Tamara are expecting their second child in the next few months. They also have a young daughter, Cheyenne. Norman will turn 38 on Dec. 31.

Norman has won the last eight training titles at Louisiana Downs, and he also has captured the last five titles at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

He operates one of the largest stables in the Mid-South region of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. So far this year, his charges have won 238 of 824 starts, good for fifth in wins in North America. Norman is second in the standings to Steve Asmussen at the Fair Grounds meet at Louisiana Downs.

Norman tends to have more than 100 horses in training, with the overflow located at training center near Louisiana Downs.

Glass said that even from the hospital Norman was thinking about business. "He said, 'Tamara, tell Benny that I'm going over the condition book right now,' " said Glass.

Norman is the son of the late trainer Gene Norman.