‘Really scary': Indy 500 rookie crashes into pit crew member
Shwartzman started the race on the pole as he completed the quickest time around Indianapolis Motor Speedway in qualifying, but all the jubilation turned to pain as a debacle on pit road nearly seriously injured a handful of his crew members.
He came into his pit stall after completing about 87 laps, and his car skidded as he got into the box. Four of his crew members tried to avoid the sliding car but failed. One crew member was taken away on a stretcher.
Watch in the video player above.
'I honestly felt really strange brakes when I was coming slow in pit lane. I locked up both front tires, which usually isn't the case,' Shwartzman said. 'I wasn't sure if it was the brakes or because the tires were cold. I tried to be very slow. But as soon as I touched my brakes, my whole front was lost, and I went right into the guys.
'It was really scary because at the moment I braked I was just a passenger.'
The crash was enough to end his day.
The Prema Racing driver was the first rookie to take the pole position since 1983.
'It's just really sad because we did such good work in qualifying,' he said. 'But it's the Indy 500. Anything can happen. A lot of strong drivers are out of the race or behind. This is the Indy 500. This happens.'
Alex Palou took home the checkered flag. It was his first win in the Indy 500 and the fifth in the first six races of the 2025 season.
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News.com.au
26 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Forbes preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, August 3, 2025
Brad Widdup is a Group 1 winner and a leading provincial trainer but he is still a country boy at heart and loves getting back to his roots when the right opportunities are there. The Albury raised Widdup heads wet with a trio of capable runners ready to shine, none more so than High Dandy in the Bankstown Sports Forbes Cup (1600m) which is also a Big Dance Qualifier. The John Camilleri-bred and owned gelding has improved with each run this campaign starting off with a seventh to Nana's Wish at Canterbury before a fourth to Walking Painting and a second to Glad You Think So both in Randwick Midways over 1600m. 'He has taken a while to get to his peak for one reason or another but his last two runs have been really good,' said Widdup. Jockey @G1TySchil wanted the front mid-race, he took it, and the promising High Dandy scores back-to-back wins for @BWiddupRacing ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 28, 2024 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'Hopefully he can continue on with that now. The son of Camilleri's own Group 1 winner Ace High looks well placed in the Cup being a 71 rater with 56kg, just a kilo above the minimum. Heading the weight for the race is Another One with 65kg although he comes down to 62kg after the claim. 'He gets in well at the weights which is not often the case when you take a horse out to the country,' Widdup said. 'He has good Sydney form and the fact he gets quite a bit of weight off those couple of well-performed, higher benchmark rated horses, I would like to think he will be very competitive. Widdup has gained the services of Hawkesbury-based jockey Chad Lever who has been on great form since returning to the saddle late last year. 'I was surprised that he is going out there but when we seen his name down for some rides, we were lucky to be able to get him,' Widdup said. Widdup and lever will also team up with lightly-raced mare Initiate in the Walker Family Showcase Super Maiden Handicap (1300m). The four-year-old is closing in on her first win after a close second to Divo and third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong before a last start fourth behind Denial at Kembla. Power Of The Brave leads all the way and is too good for the rest! ðŸ'¥ @Leesracing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025 'She is only a little filly but she tries very hard,' he said. 'She is probably still another preparation away from really being at her best but she is going well. 'Hopefully she can knock her maiden off this weekend. 'I don't think barrier eight is a bad draw for her. 'She's doesn't have real early toe so drawing there, hopefully she can slot in somewhere midfield or maybe a bit closer.' Widdup's final runner for the day is Party Doll in the Club Forbes Showcase Class 2 Handicap (1100m) who will be ridden by stable apprentice, Poppie Gorton. Gorton was having her first day riding at Bathurst two weeks ago when fourth on Party Doll. 'She drew awkward at Bathurst last start and was slow to begin before she took off around them,' said Widdup. 'She just did a lot of work but it was a good effort to finish where she did. 'She is better on top of the ground and is finding it hard to win a race but John (Camilleri, owner) has been good enough to give Poppie a couple of rides on her and her four kilo claim brings her into this race. 'Hopefully she can begin well and be in the race and I'm sure she will run really well if that's the case.' â– â– â– â– â– ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 3 No. 3: INITIATE Has strong provincial form and gets his chance to break through. NEXT BEST Race 4 No. 10: ZOUTASTIC Good win last start and can go back-to-back. VALUE BET Race 2 No. 11: LOST YA SOCK Nice efforts at both runs from a spell. Chance to break through. QUADDIE Race 5: 1, 4, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 3 Race 7: 3, 11, 13 Race 8: 1, 5, 6, 7 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW CHAD LEVER has a strong book of rides and looks a top chance on the TAB Jockey Challenge. â– â– â– â– â– INSIDE MAIL – FORBES CARAVANSERAI (1), the half-brother to Alizee and Astern, resumed for the Natalie Jarvis stable with a second to Spice Baby at Moruya when coming from well back on the turn. Will strip fitter for the run. PERFORMING DIVA (4) over did it in front on debut when fourth at Nowra. Took a sit and ran on well when second to Lombardi Lass at Goulburn. Resumes here and looks for a forward showing. RITA RED (5) has placed in three of her four runs this campaign and will be thereabouts again. Bet: Caravanserai to win â– â– â– â– â– LOST YA SOCK (11) resumed with a handy second behind Highland Eightgee over 1300m at Dubbo before leading when a half-length third to Gioia River at Corowa. Suited up to 1600m. DANTAINS PRIZE (7) finished close seconds at Narrandera and Wagga before missing the start by three lengths when seventh to Pride Of Jezza. Backed up six days later when fourth at Narrandera. PONTIAC (3) settled near last before motoring home to finish third to Darken over 1660m at Moruya last start. â– â– â– â– â– INITIATE (3) followed a length second to the promising Divo with a third to Capital Jicinta at Wyong after being bumped at the start. Forced to race wide early when fourth to Denial at Kembla last start. Solid form for this. THE CONTRACTOR (2) was spelled after a neck fourth on debut at Dubbo on Apr 7. Handy third at Dubbo first-up then races wide and pulled up lame when fourth at Bathurst on July 21. BLACKFISH (6) makes his NSW debut for the Brett Robb stable. Has claims in three placings in Victoria. â– â– â– â– â– ZOUTASTIC (10) resumed with a fourth at Hawkesbury behind Regimental Colours who won at Randwick last weekend. Went to Grafton and scored a solid win from Stratafy. DEION (6) has had a long campaign but continues to race consistently with two wins and four placings from his last six starts. Led all-the-way to beat Eilrahc at Warren before a third to Smooth Esprit in the Coonamble Cannonball. Carried big weights last two starts and drops to 54kg. CASTLEBAR ROAD (3) was a month between runs when fourth to Durova over 1000m last start. Loves it heavy. â– â– â– â– â– SORRY SUNSHINE (1) ran home nicely under 61kg to beat Freddy's Shock over 1400m on a Heavy 10 at Wagga two starts back. Sat closer and laid out in the straight when fourth to Sunray Lass at Albury. STREET SWAGGER (5) is racing well with a win and two thirds. That Cowra win was his fourth from five ruins on heavy ground. MOTORBOAT (4) raced wide without cover when down the order behind Shropshire Lad in a Highway at Rosehill on July 19 at his first run for a new stable. Bet: Sorry Sunshine to win â– â– â– â– â– DEEPWATER ARTIST (2) defied a betting drift from $5 out to $10 when he came with a closing run down the outside to beat Speed Of Thought over 1175m at Albury. His last 100m suggests he will appreciate the step up to 1400m. UNREAL EXPECTATION (1) followed back-to-back placings on the Acton track at Canberra with a handy win from Metal Magic over 1400m at Bathurst. THOUGHTFUL (3), a relation of fan favourite Happy Clapper, was fourth over 1100m in a Bm58 on the heavy at Goulburn last start. Blinkers off and nose roll on. Bet: Deepwater Artist to win â– â– â– â– â– HIGH DANDY (3) ran a nice fourth behind Walking Painting in a Midway at Randwick second-up. Led and just caught late when runner-up to Glad You Think So in another Randwick Midway. Drawn well and will give this a shake. LOUIE'S LEGACY (11) resumed in Federal Open at Canberra without a trial when a half-length second to Craving magic over 1280m. Stepped up to 1600m with a third to Hot Bandit in the Narrandera Cup. Is a winner on the heavy. 13. MORITZ GIRL (13) was doing her best late over 1400m on the Kensington last start. Loves the 1600m. â– â– â– â– â– ABSTRUSE (6) was held up rounding the home turn when a length third to Selhurst Park at Moruya before coming from a long way back when runner-up to Sutton Vella there last start both over 1010m. The 1100m helps. ROYAL BOMBADIER (7) raced ungenerously in the straight when resuming at Port Macquarie. Much better effort last start when a half-length second to Calido Magic at Gosford. PARTY DOLL (1) did it tough when fourth last start. Handy provincial form before that.
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Trainer Denim Wynen celebrates her first city success as new stable recruit Sunshine Law triumphs at Rosehill
Yulong's loss was Denim Wynen's gain as Sunshine Law delivered the young trainer her maiden city winner at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Wynen, 29, enjoyed the biggest moment of her career to date when her new edition handled the heavy conditions to prevail in the Congratulations James McDonald Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m). Sunshine Law had previously been trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald and raced in the silks of breeding powerhouse Yulong before being sold online to Wynen's connections for $85,000. 'I am so stoked,' Wynen said. 'Coming into today, I hate being too confident with people but in myself I knew I had quite a good horse coming here. 'The trackwork rider, after the first gallop she had on her, said she thinks she is quite a serious horse so for her to say that, I thought I have a nice horse.' Sunshine Law had won her last two starts for the Archibalds at Canberra and Hawkesbury but her latest success ensured her new owners for an immediate return on their investment. The daughter of Alabama Express banked just shy of her purchase price with an $82,500 winner's cheque. 'Credit to them, they picked it,' Wynen said. 'They rang me the day before and said they were looking at some tried horses online. 'They have been a big support to my stable in the last six months and bought some weanlings and wanted to get to the races sooner. 'They decided to go to the tried sales and picked up two nice horses from Yulong so I think we are going to have some fun with them.' Apprentice Anna Roper brought up a quick-fire early double with a confident steer aboard Sunshine Law. The Sunshine breaks through at Rosehill🌞 Sunshine Law returns a winner, making it three in a row for the Denim Wynen trained mare! @AnnaRoper_ with a race to race double ðŸ'�ðŸ'� â€' 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) August 2, 2025 • Roper, who had just booted home Kosciuszko hopeful Without Parallel, found herself in the box seat and had no trouble getting a run off the leaders back. Sunshine Law ($4.80) keep finding to the line to hold off the Matthew Dale -trained Super Norwest ($7) by a half-length while Chris Waller 's Pippie Beach ($4) was third. 'It was a really good win,' Roper said. 'I thought she was feeling the pinch a bit the last 100m and I think she started to have a little think about it but the horse to her inside kept her going. 'It was a really good tough effort first-up today.' Wynen dipped her two in the water as a hobby trainer but has taken over the past two years and is building a small stable on the Central Coast. 'I had a hobby, just a couple of my own, but just two years for owners and I am loving it,' she said. 'I only have six in work, I do all the work myself, literally seven days morning and afternoon so it's a good number.' Meanwhile, the Joseph Pride -trained Headley Grange bounced back to his best as the rain poured down in Sydney. Headley Grange eats up the heavy track, saluting in race 6 at Rosehill! ðŸ'° @PrideRacing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 2, 2025 • Waller and J-Mac ignite Godolphin's new era Headley Grange was a winner of the Listed Civic Stakes earlier this preparation before attempting to qualify for the Big Dance via the South Grafton Cup but failed to fire on the firm track. He faced vastly different conditions in his return to town on a heavy 10 surface for the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1500m). Headley Grange ($3.70) thrived in the tough going under the urging of Adam Hyeronimus as he surged away to score by two lengths from Adam Duggan 's Diamond Diesel ($20) while Pride's Estadio Mestalla ($5) was third. 'He is honest and genuine,' Pride said. 'I think people who like backing him, keep backing him because he turns up and wins when he gets the opportunity. 'I would be forgiving of him for his last start at Grafton when I really thought that track was too hard for him. 'I wouldn't run him on a surface that firm again, he enjoys tracks with the string out of them.'
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Godolphin's transition to public training begins with Amusing win for Chris Waller and James McDonald at Rosehill
Premiership winners Chris Waller and James McDonald helped launch Godolphin's new era with a bang as Amusing gave the champion trainer his first winner for the 'Blue Army' at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Godolphin has moved from a private to public training model for the new season with multiple trainers from Sydney and Melbourne taking over the powerhouse's racing stock from departing conditioner James Cummings. Waller was one of many prominent recipients with Amusing the first horse to line up at the races for a new stable across Australia. McDonald made sure it was easy viewing for all involved as Amusing comfortably dispatched rivals to salute in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m). 'It's certainly a great honour to be training for Godolphin, they've been our biggest competitor for so many years and we've watched them every week to see what they are doing, how we are performing against them and they've been the best yardstick,' Waller said. 'There success has been amazing, starting with Woodlands with the Inghams and Sheik Mohammed buying that operation and developing their own operation. 'What their team has done has been amazing. It's great for Australian racing and to be one of the nine or 10 trainers to be chosen to train for them is an honour to be considered good enough to train for them.' 'The mutual respect over the years has been fantastic for their trainers, staff and management and they've really been the benchmark.' Waller watched the race with Hall of Famer Darren Beadman, who had spent his first full morning at the stable as a new member of Waller's staff. Amusing is one of nine horses now with Waller with the leading conditioner also set to put the polish on a string of two-year-olds later in the season. It's a @cwallerracing quinella in the Rosehill opener! 🙌 Amusing wins the first! ðŸ'� â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 2, 2025 The classy daughter of Masar came to Waller in winning form after narrowly edging out her now stablemate Sister Daae over the same track and trip last month. 'We've taken over from a great operation and just seeing the horses coming into our system, a lot of the riders have just said 'wow',' Waller said. 'The young horses are so well educated and horses like Amusing have settled in really well. 'James has done a great job and their team and it really is an honour. 'I was nervous coming into the race just to make sure everything went well and things like that so it was a good relief.' McDonald was happy to stay closest to the inside on Amusing ($2.80 favourite) and had hit the front 300m from home before bounding clear to score by 2¼ lengths from Narbold ($5) and the Nathan Doyle -trained Aroha Stone ($12). McDonald has only just celebrating securing his seventh consecutive Sydney jockeys' premiership last season and ninth in total to move one away from George Moore's all-time record of 10 victories. He needed one race to move back to the top of the pile in Sydney racing. An Amusing finish! 🤩 Amusing wins in a thrilling photo finish in race 4 at Rosehill! @AlyshaCollett @godolphin @JamesCummings88 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 19, 2025 'It's great to get off to a winning start,' McDonald said. 'It always sucks going back to zero, especially after such a long season like it was but it's good to make the perfect start and here we go again. 'Onwards and upwards, I'm looking forward to this season, there's plenty to look forward to and it was good to kick off with a nice winner like that, especially being Godolphin's first runner with Chris. 'She's a filly with plenty to offer going forward I think. She's a lovely big scopy filly.' Waller's 142-win metropolitan haul last season secured a remarkable 15th Sydney trainers' premiership in succession with the Rosehill conditioner the odds-on favourite to continue that reign in 2025/26. 'We take our Saturday racing so seriously and it was last Saturday the end of season and then it was straight into it, what can we do better and where can we improve,' Waller said. 'We did a few little things different and went through the runners yesterday, different to how we did before and trying to make the race day a little bit easier so we knew exactly what we were doing yesterday and what was handling tracks. 'Just being a little bit better prepared.'
