NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, PA – A harness racing event at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows was marred by a serious multi-sulkie accident on Saturday, leaving veteran driver Mike Wilder injured and tragically resulting in the loss of one horse.
Collision Details
The incident occurred mid-race when a second-place horse abruptly slowed, causing two sulkies—lightweight carts used in harness racing—to lock wheels. Mike Wilder was violently thrown from his sulkie and struck the track surface. He was rendered unconscious and airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency care.
On Monday, Wilder was released and is now recovering at home.
“He is at home, resting and recovering,” said his wife, Heather Wilder. “We’re taking it one day at a time and are grateful for everyone’s support. These horses are family to us.”
Horse Fatality and Other Driver Safety
One racehorse sustained fatal injuries and was euthanized at the scene, according to KDKA-TV. No other horses were harmed. Fellow drivers Hunter Myers and Dave Palone were involved but escaped injury and resumed racing later that day.
Trainer Chuck Mull called the accident “heartbreaking,” adding:
“Every horseman feels it deeply when something like this happens. We’re all in this together—friends, family, horses.”
Venue History & Operations
The Meadows racetrack is a five-eighths-mile oval, hosting mile-long harness races that begin on the backstretch and involve three turns. The venue is owned by Gaming and Leisure Properties and operated by Penn Entertainment, formerly Penn National Gaming. Penn acquired the facility in 2018 through its purchase of Pinnacle Entertainment, and rebranded the property to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows in 2021.
- Racetrack Opened: 1963
- Casino Operations Began: 2007
- Location: ~25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, PA
