Yonkers: Will Take Charge to replace Dreammoko in International Trot
There has been a change in the cast of characters for the million-dollar Yonkers International Trot at Empire City Casino.
Dreammoko, who was to represent the Netherlands, has been sidelined with a sore throat and won’t make the trip. In his stead, the fleet Canadian Will Take Charge has been chosen.
For Will Take Charge, it’s the culmination of a career season. The 5-year-old Kadabra gelding, owned by Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ontario, and trained by Jeff Gillis of Mississauga, Ont., has won nine of his 20 starts and $409,965. His 1:53 2/5 Yonkers win in mid-September matched the Raceway’s track record for an aged trotting gelding, while his life-best 1:50 3/5 was taken in late May’s $150,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Invitational at Harrah’s Philly.
“I spoke with Jeff (Gillis) and he was tickled to death,” race secretary Steve Starr said. “The horse showed his guts when he won here, and we’re happy he’s coming back for this race.”
Canada now has a pair of entrants in the International, with Will Take Charge joining last season’s runner-up, triple-millionaire Marion Marauder.
The 10 world-class trotters set to contest the mile-and-a-quarter 40th International are…
Arazi Boko (Italy)
Ariana G (United States)
Cruzado Dela Noche (Sweden)
Lionel (Norway)
Marion Marauder (Canada)
Pastore Bob (Sweden)
Ringostarr Treb (Italy)
Slide So Easy (Denmark)
Up and Quick (France)
Will Take Charge (Canada)
First post for the special matinee program—which also includes the $250,000 Harry Harvey Invitational Trot and $250,000 Dan Rooney Invitational Pace—is 1 PM.
-edited release (Frank Drucker for Yonkers Raceway)