TORONTO -- An exercise rider died Tuesday after being crushed by a thoroughbred at Torontos Woodbine Racetrack in what officials described as a "freak accident." Police said the rider was in the saddle around 6 a.m., when the horse went into an "unexplained wild gallop," showing signs of medical distress. The rider, who was identified as Mourad Boudraa, 40, was crushed into the track railing and then by the weight of the horse as it collapsed. Jamie Martin, vice-president of Woodbine Entertainment Group, said Boudraa was originally from Morocco and had three to four years of experience as an exercise rider. "He was a freelance so he worked for a number of trainers," Martin said. "I would say its a freak accident." The horse, Tawneys Wish, died of what Woodbine Racetrack officials said was believed to be a heart attack. The three-year-old dark filly had one start this year and $368 in winnings. Mike Pownall, an equine veterinarian, said the horses cause of death wont be known until a necropsy is performed. "Its like when you find those athletes that suddenly die and you find theres a heart defect, that would be the human equivalency," Pownall said. "You have no idea it was existing, or you could prevent it, or you could do anything to alter the course." In 2011, Canadian Olympic champion Eric Lamaze was riding his horse Hickstead in Italy when the animal suddenly collapsed and died of an acute aortic rupture. The horse had carried Lamaze to gold and silver at the Beijing Olympics in show jumping. The Ontario Racing Commission, which requires a necropsy whenever a racehorse dies, collects information for a database on common racehorse injuries in the hopes of minimizing future problems, Pownall said. Pownall said working with horses carries inherent risk and those involved in the industry are all too aware of what can go wrong. "They know the potential for unexplained, sudden things to happen," he said. "Its a hazard of the job." But in the tight-knit horseracing community in Canada, word travels fast when there is an injury or fatality, he said. "I was sad for the horse, sad for the rider. Nobody wants that. Im proud of the riders that go out there every day and proud of the horses that go out there," he said, adding that Woodbine Racetrack is a "well-regarded track" in terms of safety standards. Officials from the provincial Ministry of Labour are investigating the accident. A necropsy on the horse is set to be performed at the University of Guelph. . He learned about pressure and expectations at the 2010 Games in his hometown of Vancouver. His next mission is to build on that experience at his next Olympic appearance in Sochi, where he plans to ride the momentum from the teams strong start to the season. . Radulov scored the lone goal in the shootout, and the Predators edged the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Tuesday night to reach 100 points for the second time in three seasons and fourth in seven.
http://www.mavericksproshop.com/kids-jo ... ks-jersey/. JOHNS, N. .C. -- Carter Ashton had a pair of goals and added an assist as the Toronto Marlies downed the Charlotte Checkers 5-2 on Saturday in the American Hockey League. . DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS, 1:00 PM (ET) Detroit - G Rodney Austin, WR Ryan Broyles, DT Nick Fairley, QB Kellen Moore, DT Caraun Reid, CB Mohammed Seisay, DE Larry Webster Chicago - S Chris Conte, DT Brandon Dunn, QB David Fales, K Robbie Gould, CB Terrance Mitchell, OT Michael Ola, DE Trevor Scott GREEN BAY PACKERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Green Bay - LB Carl Bradford, DT Bruce Gaston, C Garth Gerhart, CB Davon House, WR Jeff Janis, TE Justin Perillo, QB Scott Tolzien Tampa Bay - OT Anthony Collins, CB Isaiah Frey, WR Robert Herron, RB Mike James, WR Solomon Patton, FB/TE Evan Rodriguez, LB Lawrence Sidbury KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Kansas City - WR Donnie Avery, CB Marcus Cooper, OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OL Eric Kush, QB Aaron Murray, RB Charcandrick West, DT Nick Williams Pittsburgh - WR Justin Brown, DE Clifton Geathers, G Chris Hubbard, QB Landry Jones, S Troy Polamalu, TE Matt Spaeth, CB Ike Taylor MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS, 1:00 PM (ET) Minnesota - LB Anthony Barr, OT Carter Bykowski, DB Ahmad Dixon, OT Charlie Johnson, FB Zach Line, CB Shaun Prater, TE Kyle Rudolph Miami - G Nate Garner, WR Matt Hazel, S Don Jones, WR Rishard Matthews, LB Chris McCain, G Dallas Thomas, RB Daniel Thomas NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT NEW YORK JETS, 1:00 PM (ET) New England - CB Kyle Arrington, RB LeGarrette Blount, OL Dan Connolly, CB Alfonzo Dennard, OT Jordan Devey, WR Julian Edelman, RB James White NY Jets - DT T.Both the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers suffered painful, last-minute defeats on Sunday, but neither has time to dwell as they meet on Thursday night. The Saints scored a last-minute touchdown to draw level with the Denver Broncos, with just the extra point needed to take the lead. However, the kick was blocked and Will Parks ran the ball 85 yards for a two point score, securing Denvers 25-23 win. After Brandin Cooks 32 yard touchdown, Will Parks stole the game for Denver with a two point defensive score Carolina led Kansas City 17-3 going into the fourth quarter but the Chiefs rallied late, and Eric Berrys 42-yard interception return TD set up an opportunity for Cairo Santos to score a 38-yard field goal as time expired to complete a 20-17 comeback win. The teams met last in week six, where Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for almost 500 yards as New Orleans top ranked offence ran riot in a 41-38 home win. The Atlanta Falcons loss to Philadelphia on Sunday means that the NFC South is still in the balance, and both the Saints and Panthers are clinging on to hopes of a play-off appearance. A divisional loss for either side would almost certainly end those hopes. Join our studio audience for Thanksgiving! Sky Sports is opening its doors for a live Thanksgiving show on Thursday, November 24.dddddddddddd After an 0-3 start it has been steady improvement from New Orleans (4-5), who sit just two games behind the divisional leading Falcons. The defence put up its best performance this season against the Broncos, and defensive end Cameron Jordan will view this game as an opportunity to add to his four sacks so far. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks will look to build on his 98 yards in week 10, which included a 32-yard touchdown under pressure. Rookie Michael Thomas has impressed with five scores so far this year, and it will be up to Brees to utilise him and Cooks, to move the offence downfield. Brandin Cooks added a touchdown to a 98 yard performance against Denver It has been a frustrating season for Carolina (3-6), who opened with four losses in their first five weeks. A two game winning streak was snapped by the Chiefs in week 10, and they must get back to winning ways against the Saints to have any chance of progressing to the post season.The Panthers defence is much improved since losing to New Orleans, and Brees and co. should face a tougher test this time around, away from the Superdome. Though they still rank 23rd in pass defence, the Panthers are beginning to show last years form, having registered 15 sacks in the last three games. Despite complaints of a lack of protection, Cam Newton has looked more confident in recent weeks and will be crucial for the Panthers slim play-off hopes This is a huge game for both teams, but it is Carolinas to lose. Cam Newton looks to be getting back to MVP form, and the defence is growing in confidence after a shaky start. But if theres a quarterback to pile on the pressure and expose a teams frailties, it will be Brees. You can watch the Saints @ Panthers on Friday November 18 from 12:30am live on Sky Sports 1. Also See: NFL week ten highlights Be a part of our Thanksgiving audience! WATCH: NFL funnies and fails NFL Week 10 Pick Six ' ' '