Batavia Downs involved in Anthony Coletta Fund on Wednesday
November 25, 2013,by Brian J. Mazurek, for Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY — Thanksgiving is set for Thursday but Wednesday night (Nov. 27) at Batavia Downs, the true meaning and spirit of the holiday season will be front and center as many in the driver’s colony, along with trainers and owners, will be donating their earnings from the 12-race program in support of Harrah’s Philadelphia driver Anthony Coletta who was seriously injured in an on-track accident last Sunday (Nov. 17).
The Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association will be making a donation on behalf of all the local horsemen to the Anthony Coletta Fund.
But drivers John Cummings, Jr., Ken Holliday, Shawn McDonough, Ray Fisher, Jr., David McNeight III, Drew Monti, Jim McNeight, Kevin Cummings, Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. and Denny Bucceri, along with trainers Ryan Swift and David McNeight, Jr., are taking it a step further. They are giving their entire night’s earnings to the “Stay Strong Anthony Coletta” fund.
Shawn McDonough, Batavia Downs’ current leading driver, was the first to commit for the Coletta cause. He said, “I’ve never met him but I just want to support another driver and his family. It’s Thanksgiving time and it just seemed like the right thing to do.”
The owners of Puff Mommy, Red Hot Momma, Artsy Princess and Self Professed will contribute 10 percent of their earnings on Wednesday night to the cause.
Batavia Downs’ effort is being spearheaded by assistant parade marshall Jami Chatt, whose grandfather is former Western New York driving great Fred Haslip and mother is Cherie Chatt, who also was a driver.
Chatt, who has never met Anthony Coletta, said, “Sometimes people tend to forget the dangers these drivers put themselves in so we can make a living or find enjoyment in the sport. I just want to help make the financial stress easier on Anthony’s family.”
Besides the Batavia Downs drivers, trainers and owners giving their purse winnings on Wednesday, donations will be accepted at the track for those fans wanting to contribute to the “Stay Strong Anthony Coletta” fund.
Fans will also be able to bid on a Batavia Downs Gaming package valued at $250, courtesy of the WNYHHA. The package includes one night hotel accommodations at the Clarion Hotel in Batavia, $50 in food and $100 in gaming free play for Batavia Downs Gaming. The silent auction begins at 5 p.m. in the Paddock Room.
Todd Haight, Batavia Downs’ General Manager of Live Racing, said, “I’ve always said the Western New York horsemen are extremely generous people. Wednesday should be a very special night around here. Now, hopefully the weather will cooperate.”
Batavia Downs is one of many tracks and organizations throughout North America that have stepped up and started fundraising campaigns for Coletta. It is hopeful that wristbands will arrive in time for Wednesday’s card that fan can purchase in support of Coletta.
For those not attending the races but who want to help out, a fund has been set up. You can make a contribution to the “Stay Strong Anthony Coletta” Fund, c/o TD Bank, 2653 South 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19148.
- Anthony Coletta injured in racing accident at Harrah’s Philadelphia (Monday, November 18, 2013)
Driver Anthony Coletta was injured during the 11th race at Harrah’s Philadelphia Racetrack on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 17).
- Industry rallies to aid Anthony Coletta (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)
After hearing about the serious accident involving driver Anthony Coletta on Sunday, the harness racing industry has rallied to raise funds to assist his family as he fights to recover from his injuries at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
- Equine Tax Group announces ongoing donation to Coletta Fund (Thursday, November 21, 2013)
Larry Rosenblum, president of The Equine Tax Group, announced his organization’s plan to donate to the growing Anthony Coletta Benefit Fund.
- Big Dee’s to hold charity raffle to benefit Noble and Coletta (Thursday, November 21, 2013)
Big Dee’s will be holding charity raffles to benefit Chip Noble and Anthony Coletta.
- Ohio horsemen show support for Anthony Coletta (Thursday, November 21, 2013)
On Saturday night (Nov. 23) reinsmen at Northfield Park and Lebanon Raceway will be showing support for fallen driver Anthony Coletta by wearing ribbons of the young man’s colors during the races.
- Industry bands together to help Anthony Coletta (Friday, November 22, 2013)
The harness racing industry is coming together to help driver Anthony Coletta, who was seriously injured in a driving accident.
- SBOANJ, Freehold and horsemen team to raise more than $5,000 for Coletta (Sunday, November 24, 2013)
Jim Pantaleano instigated the fundraising effort, and both Freehold Raceway and the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey matched funds to raise more than $5,000 on Saturday (Nov. 23) to benefit injured harness driver Anthony Coletta.
- Official fund established for Anthony Coletta (Sunday, November 24, 2013)
Through the efforts of Anthony Coletta’s close friend and trainer Anthony Defrancesco, who has spearheaded the massive effort by the harness racing industry to raise money for the injured driver and his family, an official “Stay Strong A. Coletta” has been established at TD Bank in Philadelphia.
- Anthony Defrancesco holding raffle to benefit Anthony Coletta (Monday, November 25, 2013)
Anthony Coletta’s close friend and trainer Anthony Defrancesco is holding a raffle on his Facebook page to benefit the injured driver.
- Fundraising efforts for Anthony Coletta continue at Cal Expo (Wednesday, November 27, 2013)
Horsemen across the country and Canada are coming to the aid of Anthony Coletta, who was seriously injured on Nov. 17 in an accident at Harrah’s Philadelphia racetrack, and Cal Expo is no exception.
- Cat Manzi to donate Friday earnings to Anthony Coletta (Wednesday, November 27, 2013)
Word got out of Cat Manzi’s return to the races in time for Wednesday morning driver changes, resulting in his being named on seven horses on the 12-race program on Friday afternoon (Nov. 29) at Freehold Raceway.
- Western New York horsemen race for Anthony Coletta (Thursday, November 28, 2013)
Horse owners, trainers and drivers donated in most cases all of their Wednesday night earnings to the “Stay Strong A. Coletta” fund.
- Cloverleaf SOA and Rosecroft to hold fundraiser for Anthony Coletta (Monday, December 02, 2013)
Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association and Rosecroft Raceway will be holding a fundraiser for Anthony Coletta on Saturday (Dec. 7) at Rosecroft Raceway.
- Saratoga drivers to donate to Anthony Coletta (Tuesday, December 03, 2013)
The drivers at Saratoga Casino and Raceway will donate their five percent drivers fee on Wednesday (Dec. 4) to fellow horseman Anthony Coletta.
- Coletta Fundraiser hits $12,835 mark at Batavia Downs (Wednesday, December 04, 2013)
The ‘Stay Strong Anthony Coletta’ fund drive will conclude Wednesday night at Batavia Downs and the event will be capped off by two tremendous and generous donations.
- Adventure Bound wins $30,000 Dover feature ‘In support of Anthony Coletta’ (Thursday, December 05, 2013)
Adventure Bound won the $30,000 Preferred/Open Handicap Pace in 1:49.2, the fastest mile on the Thursday card at Dover Downs. The day’s feature race was named “In support of Anthony Coletta,” the driver involved in a Harrah’s Philadelphia racing accident three weeks ago.
- Successful fundraiser for Anthony Coletta at Rosecroft (Thursday, December 12, 2013)
Maryland based horsemen rallied around Anthony Coletta this past Saturday night as $8,400 was raised in support of the ‘Stay Strong Anthony Coletta’ fund.
- ‘Stay Strong Anthony Coletta’ race at Harrah’s Philadelphia (Monday, December 16, 2013)
Trainers, drivers, grooms, staff and management gathered in the winner’s enclosure in a show of support for Anthony Coletta.