By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Monte Miki, the Dan Patch Award winner as the top
2-year-old male pacer of 2021, has been retired, according to his trainer, Mark
Evers.
“He’s got a tear on the side of his tendon and is going to stud,” said
Evers. “We were devastated. He had a little bump on the side of his tendon and
he had a 20 percent tear after we worked him the Friday before last.”
Evers was looking forward to a big 3-year-old campaign for the son of
Always B Miki-Montenegro, who won six-of-seven starts a year ago, good for
earnings of $665,276, by far tops in his division.
“It’s disappointing, that’s for sure,” said Evers. “He had a lot of
talent, but there are a couple of breeding farms interested in him and we are
currently in negotiations.”
Monte Miki took home divisional honors on the strength of two major
stakes wins – the $650,960 Metro at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:52.2 and $600,000
Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands in 1:53.2. After being driven in his first
three starts (all wins) by Josh Sutton, Scott Zeron was in the bike for the
remainder of the season.
Owned by Velocity Standardbreds, ‘Miki’ took his lifetime mark of 1:50.4
in a Breeders Crown Elimination at The Big M.
