Top colt pacer cuts tendon in Adios final

Trainer Jim Arledge Jr. told harnessracing.com Monday afternoon that the leading 3-year-old colt pacer Sand Shooter has been retired after cutting a tendon during Saturday’s $350,000 Adios final at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. The son of Western Hanover finished a well-distanced eighth in the race as the 3-1 second choice behind favorite and eventual winner Shadow Play after getting away second early.

“He cut his tendon, shattered it down about two inches below the ankle in his left front leg,” said Arledge. “We think it happened at the quarter pole.”

Arledge said Sand Shooter was brought to Dr. Patty Hogan’s New Jersey clinic as a precaution. “Anytime you mess with a tendon like that, it’s not good. And he cut it pretty bad,” he said. “We’re hoping that no infection sets in.”

A two-time Lexington Grand Circuit winner and Breeders Crown runner-up last year, Sand Shooter had three wins in nine starts this year, including a career-best 1:49.4 set while capturing his Meadowlands Pace elimination. He then went on to finish fifth in the $1.1 million final. Sand Shooter finished third in his Adios elim before what turned out to be his final start in the final.

Owned by Bill Sanders and Jerry Silva, Sand Shooter had career earnings of $471,957. He was Arledge’s main hope for this year’s Little Brown Jug, but the trainer also has Goddess’s Justin and Upfront Hannahsboy as possible Delaware starters.

“I don’t know what to say. He had a rough year; everything’s been against him all year and he’s raced tough,” said Arledge of Sand Shooter. “He’s been a great horse right since he was a baby. When stuff like this happens, it drives you crazy. I just hope we find a nice place for him to stand stud.”

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