Yonkers: Super Chapter shines in International Trot

Super Chapter became the first horse representing the United States to win the Grade 1 $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot since Resolve in 2016 with a powerful 2:22 3/5 performance for the mile and a quarter in the 2026 edition of the race on Saturday afternoon.

Driven by Dexter Dunn, Super Chapter floated away from post five and then drove forward to take the lead away from fellow Marcus Melander trainee Bourbonista S (Scott Zeron) beyond the 27 1/5 quarter. After he took charge, Super Chapter didn't face an outside threat through the 55 3/5 half as a two-wide tier comprised of Mellby Jinx S (Daniel Wajersten), Gio Cash De (Robin Bakker), Hooker Berry Fr (Antoine Lherete) and Diva Ek It (Alessandro Gocciadoro) tried to make forward progress before Lherete sent Hooker Berry Fr three-wide prior to the 1:25 2/5 three-quarters and would be joined in that flow by Diva Ek It as the field raced in the backstretch for the final time.

Hooker Berry Fr was able to pass several horses and slid down into a loose pocket as Super Chapter opened up coming to the 1:54 2/5 mile marker, while Diva Ek It tracked Hooker Berry Fr's bid and then took up the first-over position on the final bend. Meanwhile, Super Chapter had fled the scene, and although Diva Ek It did gain in the lane to get within a length and a quarter of Super Chapter, it was well after the race had been decided and Dunn had been celebrating. Hooker Berry Fr held third, followed by Betting Pacer S (Bjorn Goop) and Powwow No (Ake Svanstedt).

"I didn't really know obviously what was going to be happening out of the gate, so we had options completely open," stated Dunn. "Scotty drawing inside me with Bourbonista S left the gate so good, I basically just followed her across and once he got to the front, he was traveling incredibly good the whole way.

"All credit to the horse, he makes my job so easy. I can drive him any way and he never seems to get tired. He's so light on his feet and quick at the same time. It's a true pleasure to sit behind him."

A 4-year-old son of Chapter Seven bred by co-owner Hanover Shoe Farms, Super Chapter is trained by Melander and co-owned by Jeff Snyder and Arthur Pronti. Super Chapter has a summary of 20-8-2 from 33 starts, has earned $2,826,062 and paid $3.36 to win as the favorite. He keyed a $23.02 exacta and a $577.74 trifecta.

"He was fantastic today," said Melander. "It was three weeks in-a-row here. He went two 49 miles up in Canada, but he's so good to take care of himself between races. He doesn't need much work at all, so that helps a lot obviously."

For the second straight year in the MGM Yonkers International Trot, Diva Ek It finished in the runner-up position from post eight and Gocciadoro was very pleased with her effort.

"She is amazing. She was better than last year, I think. With this (post), I think we took the maximum result today," Gocciadoro said. "If we change the post, it's a very interesting race. I want to change the post next year."

--Melander and Gocciadoro quotes courtesy of Edison Hatter--

--press release (Yonkers)--