Coletta Fundraiser hits $12,835 mark at Batavia Downs
December 4, 2013,by Brian J. Mazurek, for Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY — 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.
Coletta is a 31-year-old harness driver who was seriously injured in an on-track accident at Harrah’s Philadelphia in mid-November and remains in a Philadelphia hospital in serious condition.
Lon Frocione, a long-time horseman based in Vernon, N.Y., will be on hand Wednesday night along with his son Todd to make a $5,000 donation to the ‘Stay Strong Anthony Coletta’ fund and that will be followed by a $3,500 gift from Rochester-based owners Howard and Michael Ouriel with driver Drew Monti doing the honors. The presentations will be made to local fund organizer Jami Chatt who serves as Assistant Parade Marshall at Batavia Downs.
Chatt spearheaded the drive which included wrist band sales, silent auction, purse donations from drivers, trainers and owners, along with cash given by fans attending the races and Batavia Downs staff. The grand total of the event is $12,835, which will all go to Anthony Coletta and his family as he recovers from his injuries.
Bruce Tubin, President of the Western New York Harness Horsemen’s Association, was extremely proud of the generosity shown by the incredible number of trainers, drivers, grooms and owners who donated a portion of their earnings to the Anthony Coletta Fund.
“Horsemen will always come through to help others in time of need,” said Tubin.
Racing on Wednesday night will begin at 6:30 p.m. with 12 races on tap.
For more information, including closing week activities and promotions, go to bataviadownsgaming.com/live-racing.
- 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.
- Batavia Downs involved in Anthony Coletta Fund on Wednesday (Monday, November 25, 2013)
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).
- 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.
- 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.