It’s been almost 20 years since the International Trot was last run at Yonkers Raceway, but it is back, and it may be better than ever.
With a probable field including world record holder Sebastian K, 2012 Hambletonian winner Market Share, 2013 Horse of the Year Bee A Magician, and 2012 Yonkers Trot winner Archangel, the 37th edition of the $250,000 International Trot will be a must-see race at Yonkers Raceway on October 25.
“The timing seems right to bring it back,” said Bob Galterio, the vice president and chief operating officer of Yonkers Raceway. “This year, with so many good American trotters and a couple from overseas, the time just seems to be right.”
When the race was last run in 1995, Sweden’s His Majesty won the International Trot over SJs Photo and Panifesto, both American trotters. Sweden looks to be well represented this year with Sebastian K.
“Of course it means a lot,” said Bjorn ‘Bernie’ Noren, the assistant to trainer Ake Svanstedt, the conditioner of Sebastian K. “It’s a big event for Europeans and it should be a big race getting all the good trotters together from overseas.”
Linda Toscano, trainer of Market Share, grew up at Roosevelt Raceway, where the International Trot was conducted from its inception in 1959 until 1988.
“I come from Roosevelt and one of the highlights I looked forward to was seeing the other horses coming from the other countries to compete in the International,” Toscano said. “I think it’s a real cool thing that they revived it.”
The International Trot will be run along with the Messenger Stakes and the Yonkers Trot that evening, making for a super night of racing at the Old Hilltop.
“We’re very excited about that evening,” Galterio said. “It should be a great night of racing and we’re looking forward to it.”
Yonkers Raceway hopes to keep the international flavour going on Sundays, beginning on November 9 and running through to December 14, when it will host an all-trotting card that will be simulcast to Europe starting with an 11 a.m. first post. The track will offer fans many promotions for the special Sunday cards. More details about the promotions will be available as the time draws closer.
(SOANY)