Driver of horse put down after Century Downs crash will return to Calgary racetrack next weekend

A harness horse race that ended badly at a Calgary racetrack is not stopping one driver from getting back in the cart.

"It's what I do. It's what I love. I'll be back there this weekend," said Brandon Campbell.

Spectacular crash at Century Downs racetrack

8 years ago

Duration 0:35

3 drivers and 3 horses toppled in harness races at Calgary racetrack

The five-year old pacerhe was racing, Pass the Port, was euthanized on Sunday after colliding with several other horses at Century Downs.

"Which was very sad because to a lot of us, these are members of our family," said Campbell.

This is the second crash at Century Downs, but the first time a horse has beeneuthanizedat the racetrack which recently marked its one-year anniversary.

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Drivers sent to hospital

Campbell and two other drivers, Ed Hensley and Ryan Grundy, were thrown from their sulkies the lightweight carts standardbreds pull during harness racing.

Campbell said he had some bumps and bruises, Hensley broke two ribs and punctured a lung and Grundy got some "bad road rash" tohis face.

"It's [the] one bad part about our business. We love what we do but it's got some scary moments."

Martin Ratz, head of security at Century Downs told CBC News thatPass the Port looked "tired,and made a break" sparking the chain of events that caused the accident.

But Campbell won't speculate on what caused the gelding to misstep.

"They can't tell us what's going on."

"It's just as freak as someone getting in a car accident. You know, at any point in time it could happen and sometimes it never happens.