The MGM Yonkers International Trot has announced its third participant as Norway’s Powwow joins the field for the Grade 1 event scheduled for Sept.12 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
The son of 2015 MGM Yonkers International Trot winner Papagayo E, Powwow is making a second run at the $1 million USD race after finishing third behind Lexus Kody in the 2025. For owner Tom Andersen, losing by less than a length last year, combined with the prestige of the race, sparked his decision to return.
“In Europe, we call the race Yonkers International Trot the 'Word Championship of Trotting' and as such, the winner of the race is World Champion,” said Andersen on the race’s importance. “Powwow showed that Yonkers Raceway suits him and, of course, we love to compete against the best horses in the world.”
A six-year-old trained by Jan Kristian Whaaler, Powwow has a career record of 23-2-6-5. While the win stats don’t jump off the page, the level of the competition he has been facing does.
“This year, Powwow has started six times at the top international level. His form is very good and we expect to have him in top condition on Sept. 12,” said Andersen, who added that Powwow will compete in the $300,000 USD Åby Stora Pris on Aug. 15 at 3,140 meters (approx. two miles) before shipping to New York.
“Team Powwow’s Norwegian slogan is 'Alt Er Mulig' -- this means 'anything is possible,'” said Andersen. “The start in the Yonkers International Trot will be the 25th for Powwow. Can he do as his father Papagayo E did in his 25th start and win the race as well?”
Powwow joins Diva Ek and Bourbonista S in the lineup for the MGM Yonkers International Trot. More invitations will be extended in the coming days to complete the 10-horse field.
The race will be the focal point of a stellar card on Sept. 12 that starts at 11:50 a.m., and includes the $2.4 million USD New York Sire Stakes finals for two and three-year-olds as well as a pair of $200,000 USD invitationals – the Bob Miecuna Trot and Aria Pace.
(Yonkers Raceway; photo of Powwow's connections)