Driver Marcus Johansson was hospitalized following a scary incident which took place during Thursday’s baby races at the Meadowlands

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The 31-year-old son-in-law of Jimmy Takter was thrown to the track when the filly he was driving, a Western Terror miss named Western Taryn, fell shortly after the start of the final qualifier of the morning.

Johansson’s wife, Nancy Takter Johansson, posted the following update on her Facebook page on Thursday:

"Marcus had a ruptured spleen and was taken to Hackensack University Hospital. He has had surgery to remove the spleen and they were able to stop his internal bleeding. He is in the recovery room now and out of the danger zone."

Mark Ford, the trainer of Western Taryn, told Trot Insider the filly suffered only a few cuts. She is expected to make a fully recovery.

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Marcus a speedy recovery.