Harness: Dan Patch winner Monte Miki retired after suffering injury

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 2/5 and $600,000 Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands in 1:53 2/5. 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.

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Owned by Velocity Standardbreds, 'Miki' took his lifetime mark of 1:50 4/5 in a Breeders Crown Elimination at The Big M.

-edited release (By Dave Little for The Meadowlands)