by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager

Columbus, OH — Standardbred Canada is reporting that 2008 O’Brien Award winning freshman pacing colt Nebupanezzar has suffered an injury that will delay the start of his sophomore campaign.

The 3-year-old son of No Pan Intended–Western Wonder, owned by Peter Pan Stables Inc., has a slight tear in the tendon sheath according to his trainer, Bob McIntosh.

Nebupanezzar won 10 times in 14 starts as a juvenile, earning $946,365. He raced exclusively in Canada, with his biggest victories coming in the $647,800 Governor’s Cup final and the $246,000 Ontario Sire Stakes Super Final. He also picked up the second place check in the $950,000 Metro Pace Final.

McIntosh plans to have an ultrasound taken of the tendon in about a month. If Nebupanezzar gets a clean bill of health at that time, he’ll resume training and hopefully would be ready to race some time in August.