As a precursor to the return of Yonkers Raceway’s International Trot next season, the track is planning to host an Invitational Trot this fall.
The race has been scheduled for Saturday, October 25, therefore it will coincide with the finals of both the Yonkers Trot and the Messenger Stakes (along with their companion filly events).
The purse for the invitational will be commensurate with the quality of the field. The best trotters in North America are requested to RSVP. Interested parties can contact the race office at 914-457-2627 for more information.
“We are gauging the interest of bringing the best trotters on the continent here,” said the track’s chief operating officer, Bob Galterio. “We feel the date is perfect, a few weeks after Lexington and a few weeks before the Breeders Crown.
“Our race office is going to be reaching out in the near future to the connections of the elite trotters in both the United States and Canada,” Galterio said. “This race would make an already tremendous night of racing even better.”
As for the International, first held at Roosevelt Raceway in 1959 and last contested here in 1995, its return has been in the works for some time, although, there is no tentative date for 2015. Updates shall be sent out when available.
(With files from Yonkers)