Moments after his triumphant victory in the 2025 Canadian Pacing Derby, defending champion Scott Zeron received devastating news regarding the 2024 winner, Its My Show.
Just before the field of 10 went postward for the 2025 edition of the Grade 1 stakes classic on Saturday, Aug. 30, the reigning champion of the Canadian Pacing Derby had taken a very bad step in an overnight race at The Meadowlands and was pulled up.
A social media post from Its My Show's breeder and co-owner Richard Young late Saturday revealed the worst.
"I’m devastated. My horse Its My Show, winner of the NA Cup, The Little Brown Jug, and the Canadian Pacing Derby, suffered a significant injury which requires intricate surgery to save his life. I will not be sleeping tonight.
Ironic—1 year ago today, he won the Canadian Pacing Derby. He had since dealt with blood issues and was just coming back to himself. Quite possibly the soundest horse I’ve ever owned. I’m crushed. I don’t care about him racing—he deserves a good life.”
Young told Trot Insider that Its My Show underwent successful surgery on Monday, Sept. 1 to repair the small bone in his pastern. While the prognosis remains uncertain beyond that, early signs are promising, and Young remains optimistic. He did state, however, that the horse would be retiring from racing.
"[He’s] in recovery now,” said Young. “It went well, and it came together nicely for a comminuted fracture. There are two plates, six screws in the plates, and one screw in the bottom that is just pulling fragments together.
“I’m just hoping he can be a horse and enjoy his life in the field."
A five-year-old gelded son of Sweet Lou out of champion pacing mare and U.S. Hall of Fame inductee Put On A Show, Its My Show enjoyed a remarkable racing career. After going winless in eight starts as a rookie, he burst onto the scene as a sophomore, winning nine of 16 starts and earning more than $1.1 million, highlighted by his victory in the $1 million North America Cup.
Across 48 career starts, Its My Show compiled 12 wins and earnings of $1,814,958 for breeders and owners Richard and Joanne Young and trainer Linda Toscano. A world champion at three by virtue of his 1:46.4 record mile at The Red Mile, making him racing's fastest sophomore pacing gelding, Its My Show was known not only for his brilliance on the track but for his heart and consistency at the sport’s highest levels.
Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Its My Show a full and speedy recovery.
(Standardbred Canada)