Yonkers: Hooker Berry carries the French flag into International Trot

France will be represented by Hooker Berry in the Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot on September 12. The $1,000,000 event at MGM Yonkers Raceway now has seven confirmed starters representing five different countries.

Hooker Berry comes to the U.S. with a high profile as the 2023 winner of the prestigious Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes in Paris. While he has struggled to find the winner’s circle over the last couple of years, he has been competing exclusively in Group I and Group II races against some of the best horses in France. Most recently he was an excellent third after a big first-over charge to the lead in the $165,000 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at Enghien in France, perhaps showing a sign that the 9-year-old has more left in the tank.

“Hooker Berry is in great form right now and is rounding into shape after several comeback races, which is why he has been driven conservatively, saving his effort for the home straight,” said Aurélie Lhérété, wife of trainer Antoine Lhéreté, on Hooker Berry’s lack of recent success. “In his last race he was driven more aggressively, and it paid off.”

Racing mostly in France on larger racetracks, Hooker Berry will get his first taste of the half-mile oval at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The 9-year-old was noticeably awkward on the turns in his last race, but Aurélie Lhérété said that it wasn’t something to be concerned about.

“He always acts that way, but it doesn’t stop him from moving forward,” said Aurélie Lhérété about Hooker Berry cocking his head.

Hooker Berry, a winner of approximately $2 million in his career for owner Michel Aladenise, will look to become the first French winner of the MGM Yonkers International Trot since Reve d’Udon in 1990.

“We are seizing the chance since the French program isn’t optimal this year,” said Aurélie Lhérété on why Hooker Berry is coming to New York. “It is an incredible opportunity to represent France.”

Hooker Berry joins five previously announced European participants - Gio Cash (Germany), Mellby Jinx (Sweden), Diva Ek (Italy), Bourbonista (Sweden) and Powwow (Norway) - in the MGM Yonkers International Trot. The final European shippers will be announced this week and a trio of horses from the U.S. and Canada will be released early next week to create a field of 11 for the first time in recent history.

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.

-release (Yonkers Raceway media)