Yonkers: Strong field taking shape for International Trot

A stellar field loaded with International talent including five Elitloppet finalists is taking shape for the $1,000,000 Yonkers International Trot scheduled for Saturday, October 13 at Yonkers Raceway.

Racing Secretary Steve Starr has locked up nine of the 10 available spots with horses from Canada, Sweden, Italy, France, Norway, Denmark and Netherlands. He is still weighing his options for the United States representative.

“This field has come together very fast. I’m tickled to death with the cooperation we’ve seen this year. It truly is a star-studded field,” said Starr.

Leading the parade of overseas talent is 2018 Elitloppet winner Ringostarr Treb. The 8-year-old is trained by New England native Jerry Riordan, who won the International in 2017 with Twister Bi. Both horses were to line up behind the gate representing Italy, but it was announced on Tuesday (9/18) that Twister Bi will not be able to make the race. With the defection, Arazi Boko, an 11-year-old with 22 career wins, will be part of team Italy.

Will Take Charge invaded the Open Handicap at Yonkers from Canada to show off in an attempt to earn a spot, but it seems he will have to settle for the $250,000 Harry Harvey Invitational. Marion Marauder will represent the Great White North in the 2018 Yonkers International. The Paula Wellwood/Mike Keeling trained 5-year-old was second recently in the Maple Leaf trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park and also finished second in last year’s International.

Two horses will invade from Sweden and one is already on U.S. soil and preparing for the task at hand. Courant Stable’s Cruzado Dela Noche was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and raced in the Hambletonian back in 2015. He since went off to Sweden and made quite an impression for trainer Stefan Melander. Now the 6-year-old is in the barn of Marcus Melander and won his qualifier in 1:55 2/5 at The Downs at Pocono on September 12 over recent Great Northeast Open winner Homicide Hunter.

The second Swedish horse is Pastore Bob. Known for his high speed off the gate, the Johan Untersteiner trainee finished third in the Elitloppet final.

France has Up And Quick in the International lineup. The 2015 Prix d’Amerique champion was sixth in the Elitloppet and has a Grade II victory in France to his credit this year for trainer Antoine Lherete.

Norway has Lionel scheduled to compete. The Daniel Reden charge competed in both the Elitloppet final and the Prix d’Amerique in 2018.

Representing Netherlands is Dreammoko. The Richard Westerink trainee is hoping for a better showing after finishing ninth last year.

Slide So Easy is the last of the foriegn competitors. Carrying the flag of Denmark, the 9-year-old comes in with 30 wins in 78 career races for driver/trainer Felmming Jensen.

The first International Trot was won by France’s Jamin in 1959. After a 20-year hiatus, the race returned in 2015 with Papagayo E taking home the trophy for Norway. Resolve won the race representing the United States in 2016.