Ecurie D DK got in a prep for the Yonkers International Trot a week from Saturday by winning a qualifier in 1:57.1 over a “sloppy +2” surface on Wednesday morning (Oct. 5) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

Sarah Svanstedt, wife of trainer Åke Svanstedt and an accomplished driver in her own right (she’s 10-for-13 at Pocono this season in betting races), sat in the pocket with Ecurie D DK behind fractions of :30.1 and 1:00.3, moved off to a five-length lead by the 1:29.2 three-quarters, then buzzed home in :27.4 despite the off going and chill temperatures to win by 9-1/2 lengths. 

Ecurie D DK, who will represent his native Denmark (the “DK” at the end of his name) in the International, has a lifetime record of 18 wins in 27 starts and earnings of $1,090,430. After racing with distinction against top horses in Europe, the six-year-old was brought to these shores and promptly won the Allerage Trot and Breeders Crown at the end of last year, then set a 1:49.1 world record in the Cutler in his first start of 2022. Most recently, he finished second in his Canadian debut in the Maple Leaf Trot on Sept. 3. The son of Infinitif is owned by Marko Kreivi Stables Inc., Suleyman Yuksel Stables Inc., and Åke Svanstedt Inc.

(With files from PHHA/Pocono)