Last years Two-Year-Old Trotter of the Year in Canada, Windsong Espoir, is taking a break from racing to give his sore foot time to heal completely.
The winner of $708,000 last year qualified twice in May at Mohawk, winning both, but hurt himself prior to his first pari-mutuel start, the Goodtimes eliminations on June 7.
While in his paddock, the Kadabra colt stepped on his left front quarter and cut himself badly and probably bruised his foot at that time.
He seemed all right on race day where he finished second, timed in 1:54.2 but was not the same horse in the final where he was fifth-placed-fourth.
After two more races, in Ontario Sires Stakes Gold action at Georgian Downs, his connections had Dr. McKee of the McMaster Clinic examine Espoir.
Her findings were that the hoof wall had become unstable and very painful. The colt is now getting enough time off to completely heal.