Canada's fastest trotter Lexus Kody and multi-millionaire Periculum have been named the final two horses for the $1 million USD MGM Yonkers International Trot. The pair now complete a 10-horse field that will compete on Sept. 13 at MGM Yonkers Raceway in the 1-1/4 mile classic.
Lexus Kody has truly proven that some horses get better with age. The Ron Burke trainee, who put up a career-best $294,596 in earnings and posted a 1:49.4 mark in 2024, has easily eclipsed both of those milestones this year. The now seven-year-old has already amassed $522,189 in earnings and on Aug. 30 stopped the timer at Woodbine Mohawk Park in a Canadian record 1:49.1 to take the Maple Leaf Trot.
A son of Canadian sire Archangel, Lexus Kody (pictured above) will carry the banner for that country with regular driver Yannick Gingras -- another of Canadian descent -- likely to be in the bike for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura.
"He's always been a fast horse. We under-staked him the last couple of years and didn't give him a chance. This year we staked him to everything," said co-owner Mark Weaver, who is looking forward to the race. "I don't think I've ever had one in the International Trot, and it is a pretty cool honour to race against some of the best in the world for a million dollars."
Just under two lengths behind Lexus Kody in the Maple Leaf Trot was Periculum, and he will represent the United States in the international event. One of two horses from the Marcus Melander barn in the race along with Aetos Kronos S, Periculum looks for revenge in the MGM Yonkers International Trot after finishing second in the race behind Jiggy Jog S in 2024.
For the year, Periculum has compiled a stellar 6-3-3-0 record while leading North America in earnings for older trotters at $643,250 for owners Brixton Medical Inc. and Holly Lane Stud East Limited.
"It's a good field. I've seen them all race and it will be a good race for sure," said Marcus Melander, who trains in the U.S. but is originally from Sweden. "Both of my horses are coming into the race in good form and we have some 'home field' advantage because we don't need to travel far. I think both will do well."
Below is the complete field for the MGM Yonkers International Trot in alphabetical order with the country each horse is representing. Post positions will be drawn next week.
- Aetos Kronos (Sweden)
- Diva EK (Italy)
- Double Deceiver (United States)
- Gamin Jaba (France)
- Gio Cash (Germany)
- Hohneck (France)
- Ideal Ligneries (France)
- Lexus Kody (Canada)
- Periculum (United States)
- Powwow (Norway)
The MGM Yonkers International Trot will be part of a huge card on Sept. 13 that also includes the $200,000 USD MGM Aria Invitational Pace and $200,000 USD Robert Miecuna Invitational Trot. Post time is set for 12 p.m. and the Empire Terrace dining room will be open for a buffet lunch.
Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday-Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m. Exceptions to that schedule include the addition of live racing on Wednesday, Sept. 10. There will be no live racing on Friday, Sept. 12.
(Yonkers Raceway)