Fundraising efforts for Anthony Coletta continue at Cal Expo
November 27, 2013,by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal Expo Harness
Sacramento, CA — 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.
Steve Wiseman and Robin Clements have spearheaded local fundraising efforts for Coletta. This will be the second weekend they will be raising money to help with the costs associated with his care and recovery.
“I met Anthony at Plainridge in 2007,” Wiseman related. “At the time he had just taken out his license and I did some driving for him. Over the years, we’ve become good friends and when I found out about this accident and his condition, I went to Robin and asked her if we could put together something to help.”
Wiseman was among the drivers who donated all of his driving fees last weekend, something which has been taking place at many harness tracks in the last two weeks. Anthony Coletta’s good friend and fellow trainer Anthony Defransesco is coordinating these efforts.
“Anthony has sent out wristbands that we will be selling this week for $5 each,” Wiseman noted. “They will be available on both the backside and the frontside and hopefully we’ll have a nice check to send from Cal Expo at the end of the week.”
CHHA horsemen’s representative Robin Clements added, “When Steve told me about Anthony and wanting to help, I never blinked an eye. This was a tragic accident to a fellow horseman and driver with a bright future. We don’t race for a lot out in California, but one thing about the horsemen out here, their hearts are huge. So when I started going around about the fundraiser everyone dug into their pockets. We all wish Anthony a speedy recovery and our thoughts and prayers are with him during this critical time.”
Watch and Wager LLC General Manager Chris Schick said, “It’s great to see the harness industry rally for one of their own, and Cal Expo is happy to play even a small role in that effort.”
Sire Stakes headline program
A $10,000 California Sire Stakes for the 3-year-old trotters is on tap at Cal Expo Friday night.
The sire stakes will go as a non-betting event prior to the regular program and they will line up this way: Jewel Of Lodi (Chip Lackey), Lightning Of Lodi (Pierre Girard), Tour Guide (Steve Desomer), Freedombird (Luke Plano) and More Tequila (James Kennedy).
- 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).
- 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.