Yonkers: Gio Cash seeks clear sailing in 2026 International Trot

Trainer Daniel Wäjersten will have strength in numbers in his quest to win the $1,000,000 MGM Yonkers International Trot this year after he accepted an invitation to the Grade 1 event for Gio Cash. The 7-year-old joins his stablemate Mellby Jinx as the latest horse to become part of the September 12 worldwide event at Yonkers Raceway.

Gio Cash is no stranger to Yonkers Raceway having finished fourth beaten just 1 ¼ lengths by Lexus Kody in the 2025 edition of the MGM Yonkers International Trot. Wäjersten drove on that day and was locked in the pocket behind the winner.

“You never know, but we had a lot of power left at that moment and certainly think he would’ve been in the photo,” said Wäjersten on if he would’ve won the 2025 edition with a clear trip.

The trainer/driver will not be in the bike this year as he’ll cede the lines to a driver yet to be named from the Netherlands, the home of owner Carpe Diem Stable.

A 17-time winner in 37 starts, Gio Cash has been keeping good company in 2026, racing in an elimination of the Elitlopp and winning the Arjängs Stora Sprinter in Sweden during July. It was the second straight year he was successful in the Sprinter race.

Most recently, Gio Cash was fifth in the Jämtlands Stora Pris on August 8 from a bad post and Wäjersten was happy with the performance.

“He was good and I think he will be in the same shape as last year,” said Wäjersten. “If he performs at his best, he is – in my opinion – one of the best in Europe at short distances. In the Elitlopp he started pacing at the end of the race. It was not a good day for him to have a bad day, but normally he trots easily.”

The son of Victor Gio will begin his journey to the United States next week and fly from Frankfurt about a week before the MGM Yonkers International Trot. Wäjersten reports that Gio Cash is a very calm horse and had no trouble with the journey last year.

One horse that will not be on the flight is the previously announced Daim Brodda. The mare did not perform well in her last race and the connections have decided to skip the trip. A replacement horse, as well as the final European starter, will be announced later this week.

The current field for the MGM Yonkers International Trot includes Gio Cash, who will represent Germany, his Swedish-represented stablemate Mellby Jinx, as well as Diva Ek (Italy), Bourbonista (Sweden) and Powwow (Norway).

The $1,000,000 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.