A serious accident was narrowly avoided at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in New Cumberland, West Virginia, on Monday evening when a loose horse began running in the wrong direction on the track. During the sixth race—a six-furlong $4,000 claiming event—Candy Street lost its rider, jockey Michael Pagan, early on and then ran backward, heading clockwise around the clubhouse turn and into the path of the oncoming field, which was moving counterclockwise. Officials quickly sounded alarms, and track announcer Peter Berry instructed jockeys to stop racing, resulting in the race being ruled a no contest.
Jockey Erik Barbaran, riding Rockible, said he did not immediately hear the sirens after Pagan’s fall, which occurred right in front of him, but began noticing the alarms just before the final turn. As the warnings grew louder, Barbaran started slowing down and alerted nearby jockeys. He only realized the horse was running the wrong way once it appeared on the track. Barbaran mentioned that wind conditions can affect how well the riders hear emergency signals around the track.
Following the incident, Pagan was airlifted from the racetrack with injuries to his head and neck. Initially, he experienced numbness below the waist, but by Tuesday morning, Barbaran had been informed that Pagan was home and in stable condition, though sore. The Jockeys’ Guild president and CEO, Terry Meyocks, confirmed that Guild regional manager Herbie Rivera also received word of Pagan’s good recovery.
Out of respect for their injured colleague and due to muddy track conditions, the jockeys chose not to participate in the final two races on Monday. Meyocks emphasized that this close call highlights the importance of having multiple alert systems in place at racetracks—such as outriders, lights, sirens, and public announcements—to quickly warn riders of emergencies on the course. He referenced past incidents where horses ran against traffic, including a 2000 accident that severely injured jockey Stacy Burton, stressing that all tracks must be prepared for such worst-case scenarios at any time.
This report originally appeared in the News section of Paulick Report on September 22, 2026.
Fan Take: This near-miss is a stark reminder of how quickly danger can arise in horse racing, underscoring the critical need for improved safety protocols to protect riders and horses alike. Enhanced emergency communication and preparedness not only safeguard those involved but also help maintain the sport’s integrity and public trust.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
