by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — 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.

Pantaleano made the pledge to donate his five percent fee as a driver in all 13 of Freehold’s races on Saturday. That totaled $463.

Meanwhile, the SBOANJ and Freehold agreed to match his donation and those of any other drivers and trainers on the program. The result was $2,520 in fees and an equal amount from the SBOANJ and Freehold. Plus there were other donations from the racing community that well exceeded the $5,040.

The beneficiary is driver Anthony Coletta, who suffered severe injuries in a racing accident on Nov. 17 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

“We know it is a challenge for horsemen to give up their income for the day, but we thank all of those who did step up to assist a fallen colleague with this fundraising effort,” said SBOANJ President Tom Luchento.

“Many thanks to Jimmy and Christi Pantaleano for starting the ball rolling and to all the other horsemen who joined the effort,” said Freehold’s Director of Racing Karen Fagliarone.

Christi Pantaleano collected additional cash donations on Saturday, including a generous gift from the Landy family, to add to the total.

From the racing fees, Andy Miller was the top money earner and contributor for the day with $620, followed by Pantaleano’s $463. Other drivers involved were Nick Surick, Steve Smith, Eric Abbatiello, Jim Marshall and Pat Berry. Donated training percentages came from Pete Fusco, Ken Hess and Mike Posner.