Always hard at work, Yonkers Raceway’s European talent scout Klaus Koch wasted no time in extending a second invitation to the $1,000,000 USD MGM Yonkers International Trot (G1) following a sparkling performance by Gio Cash in Sweden. The six-year-old, who is coming off the fastest mile of his career, will be representing Germany for the Sept. 13 event at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

“When you have a horse that is able to compete in big races and you have an opportunity to race, you take it,” said Gio Cash’s driver/trainer Daniel Wäjersten. “To be able to race in big races and drive good horses is what I dreamed about when I was 10 years old. It feels really good to have the opportunity.”

Not only was Gio Cash’s latest victory in the Arjängs Stora Sprinter on July 12 the fastest of his career, but the 1:08.5 time (1:50.1 mile rate) crushed the previous track record by more than a second. He faced intense pressure throughout the 1,640-metre race and ultimately bested the classy 2021 Elitlopp winner Don Fanucci Zet by a narrow margin. The victory by Gio Cash was also his second straight over his rival as he defeated him at 2,140 metres on June 14.

“This is a horse that has been racing at the top level as a two-, three- and four-year-old, then he had some problems as a five-year-old. Now he is back in good shape. He has always been a talented horse,” said Wäjersten on Gio Cash’s recent form spree.

Gio Cash, a career winner of 15 races in 28 starts and $617,767 USD, came to the Wäjersten barn for his 2025 campaign and is already closing in on the best season ever. The trainer admitted that he really didn’t change anything on the son of Victor Gio to revive him.

“He’s a super horse. We just made him the same level as he was when he was young,” said Wäjersten.

A question with any International horse arriving at Yonkers Raceway is how they will handle the tighter turns of the half-mile track (800 metres). Wäjersten revealed that both of his horse’s recent wins came over a 1,000-metre surface with tight turns that can be a bit difficult for some horses. He also added that Gio Cash has a very smooth gait that makes it easy for him to trot over any track.

For the 35-year-old Wäjersten, the trip will be his first to New York, though he has been to the now defunct Pompano Park and The Red Mile on previous occasions. It will be a special experience for him as well as the ownership group of Carpe Diem Stable.

“I’m looking forward to the race and the experience for all the owners and the groom,” said Wäjersten.

Gio Cash will have one more start in Sweden prior to shipping to the United States about a week ahead of the MGM Yonkers International Trot. He joins the previously announced Hohneck as the first two starters for the million-dollar event. Additional invitees will be announced in the coming weeks.

(Yonkers)