Yonkers: Daim Brodda brings high speed to MGM Yonkers International Trot

The field continues to swell for the Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot as the connections of Daim Brodda have accepted an invite to make her the fifth participant in the $1,000,000 event scheduled for September 12 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

Daim Brodda becomes the third horse representing the gold and blue of Sweden, joining the recently named Mellby Jinx and the U.S.-based Bourbonista, a 1:50.2 winner in her last start at the Meadowlands on August 8. Diva Ek (Italy) and Powwow (Norway) are the other two invitees.

A 6-year-old mare with 14 wins in 25 career starts and over $700K (USD) in earnings, Daim Brodda has been competing against some of the best horses in Europe and was recently second behind the extremely-fast Allegiant in the $320,000 Hugo Åbergs Memorial at Jägersro, Sweden on July 28.

“[Daim Brodda] was good. Allegiant was fantastic,” said Stian Hallentvedt, second trainer for the Kjetil Helgestad stable. “We tried to take control of the race behind Allegiant.”

Daim Brodda indeed sat second as Allegiant increased her lead effortlessly, but she never ceded her position despite being surrounded by a number of challenges for the place spot.

Owner Kjell Skattvedt, who has been involved in the sport for 45 years, called participating in the MGM Yonkers International Trot the highlight of all-time, and while Hallentvedt has been to the U.S. many times, he called racing Daim Brodda here a “big dream.” He also thinks she will enjoy the smaller half-mile track in Yonkers.

“The small track will be no problem. She has fantastic technique,” said Hallentvedt, who said she has won on- and off-the-pace but has been racing from behind lately due to the level of competition she is currently facing in Europe. “She is extremely fast from the start.”

Daim Brodda, who will be driven by Norwegian champion driver Eirik Høitomt when she competes at MGM Yonkers Raceway, will get one more start at Solvalla in Sweden before her trip to New York. She has post two in the 1,000,000 SEK European Championship for Mares on Wednesday (Aug. 19).

Just five spots remain to fill out the MGM Yonkers International Trot and at least one more horse is expected to be announced next week. The race will be the focal point of a stellar card on September 12 that starts at 11:50 a.m. (EDT) and includes the $2.4 million New York Sire Stakes finals for 2- and 3-year-olds, as well as a pair of $200,000 Invitationals - the Bob Miecuna Trot and Aria Pace.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently offering live racing on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) every night except Saturday when post time is 3:30 p.m.

-release (Yonkers Raceway Media)

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