Remington Park worker killed in incident with runaway horse

Mike Priddy, a 24-year-old member of the maintenance department at Remington Park in Oklahoma City, died Sunday night from internal injuries suffered during an accident that happened before the fourth race. He had worked for the track about a year, according to Scott Wells, general manager of Remington.

Remington officials said Priddy was about 300 yards behind the starting gate when one of the Quarter Horses in the fourth race, Jimi Jive, bolted from the starting gate and ran towards a track gate that leads to the barn area. Priddy had just closed that gate and was attempting to prevent the horse from escaping the track, officials said. He was hit by the gate as the horse crashed through it. Priddy was transported to Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, where he died several hours later.

“Michael Priddy was a loyal, hardworking young man who was very proud of his job here, and that pride showed in the way he did his job every day,” said Wells. “Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and loved ones.”

Services are pending for Priddy, who has a 9-year-old daughter. Global Gaming, the parent company of Remington Park, is working with family members to provide any assistance they need for the immediate future and beyond, according to a release issued by Global.