Racehorse drowns at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino

ANDERSON, Ind. (WISH) – A racehorse is dead as a result of an accident during a training session at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino in Anderson Tuesday.

The three-year-old Standardbred racehorse, Just Dance With Me, reportedly veered off the track, went through one of the track’s inner fences and then fell into the infield pond.

A broken bit and loss of control are being blamed for the fatal accident.

The driver on the horse at the time, Brett Wilfong, was not injured during the incident.

The Anderson Fire Department responded and assisted on scene.

Later in the evening, the regularly scheduled races went on as planned. Dozens of fans showed up, some unaware of what happened earlier in the day.

“I can imagine how deeply affected the owners, the drivers, and the trainers are in this tragic event because they invest a lot of time and heart and skill into their, into this vocation,” said racing fan Mimi Josie. “They have a very close connection with their animals and so it’s really deeply sad.”

Rick Moore, the Vice President and General Manager of racing said, “When you lose one of your own, whether it be a human or equan and unfortunately we lost a horse today, it’s a very sad day.” Despite the sadness, he and the fans agreed the show must go on.

“Going ahead and racing will probably take everyone’s mind, at least, keep their mind off of it a little bit for a few hours,” Moore said. “Tending to business is probably the best therapeutic medicine possible.”

Donnie Recchiuti was in town from Ohio to watch one of the races. He was saddened to hear about Just Dance With Me’s death, but as someone who shows horses for a living he knew the races wouldn’t be suspended.

“We don’t like to see that happen to any animal but there are accidents that happen and that’s what they are, they’re accidents and all these people around here are good horsemen that try to prevent stuff like that from happening,” Recchiuti said.