Trot Insider has learned that pacer R Lil King was put down after sustaining an injury during the start of Sunday's 12th race at Flamboro Downs.

Trainer-owner Rod Boyd said that the nine-year-old son of Western Maverick broke his left front pastern and had to be put down as a result of the injury.

"'Wally' was like a part of my family," noted Boyd. "It's a tough part of the business. He gave me 100 per cent every time and will be missed."

The 31-time winner banked more than $270,000 in his racing career, starting out half-milers in South-Western Ontario before eventually making it up to the Four-Year-Old Open class at Woodbine. At age four, R Lil King took his lifetime speed badge of 1:51s at Woodbine and recorded numerous miles in the 1:50 range.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of R Lil King.