Harness: Walner out of the Hambletonian

Dan Patch Award winner Walner will not race in the upcoming Hambletonian Stakes because of a minor injury, trainer Linda Toscano said Thursday, five days before entries are due for the sport’s premier event for 3-year-old trotters at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

Toscano said the injury was not career threatening, but there was no timetable for Walner’s return.

Walner was unbeaten in two races this year. In his most recent start, Walner won a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial in a stakes-record 1:50 2/5 at the Meadowlands on July 15. The victory pushed his win streak to seven races dating back to September, with all of the wins by a minimum of three lengths.

For his career, the colt has won nine of 10 starts and earned $567,652 for owner Ken Jacobs. Tim Tetrick has driven Walner in all his races.

“We have to do what is best for the horse,” Toscano said. “He’s special. I can’t do anything that might hurt him. I can’t take a chance. We talked about it and collectively made the decision. It is what it is.”

The post position draw for the Hambletonian and the Hambletonian Oaks will be DIGITAL STREAMING ONLY at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, on the Meadowlands Facebook page and YouTube channel.

-release from Hambletonian Society