by Ken Weingartner, USTA Media Relations Manager

Ken Weingartner

Hightstown, NJ — North American drivers participating in Saturday’s (Oct. 13) $1 million Yonkers International Trot face several challenges as they prepare for the event, most notably learning about their rivals — and in some cases their own horse — in addition to contemplating the best path to victory in a 10-horse field going 1-1/4 miles.

“My deal is to know the competition the best I can and make decisions as it plays out,” said Brian Sears, who is driving in the International Trot for the third time since its renewal in 2015 at Empire City Casino’s Yonkers Raceway. Sears will be behind Cruzado Dela Noche, starting from post six, on Saturday.

“My job is to learn some of these horses, which is what makes this race so difficult to win. You don’t really know the competition as well as you’d like. As the race unfolds, you’ll see things happen and you try to make decisions to put your horse in the best spot. But I think you have to be aggressive. You have to be as aggressive as you can get away with.”

Winners of the three most recent International Trots each accomplished the feat in different ways — one of which no longer exists.

In 2015, Norway’s Papagayo E got a ground-saving trip behind leader Creatine and used the passing lane to earn the victory. The passing lane has since been eliminated at Yonkers. In 2016, U.S. representative Resolve led virtually from start to finish en route to his triumph. Last year, Italy’s Twister Bi raced on the outside and methodically chased down leader Resolve before powering away to win by 5-1/2 lengths.

Marion Marauder, who is the 3-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s race, finished second last year. He started from post No. 1 and got away in seventh place around the first turn. He will start again from post one on Saturday.

“When I had the rail last year it was a learning experience,” said Scott Zeron, who drives Marion Marauder. “I pushed him off the wings enough to get him well situated, but I had to have a lot of luck on my side as well with not being able to pull the right line and go to the outer flow.

Mike Lizzi photo

Scott Zeron drove Marion Marauder to a second place finish in the 2017 International Trot.

“It could end up like that again this year, but I know I have a horse that’s capable of winning this race. I let him leave at his own comfort. It will be playing it by ear when I go off the wings. We’ll see two steps off the gate where I’m going to get situated. Hopefully I have an opportunity to race him.”

Trotting races at the distance of 1-1/4 miles are nothing new at Yonkers and looking back at 37 such races on Sundays in July to September shows horses that were no worse than third at the half-mile point won nearly 84 percent of the time. Horses that led at the half won 18 times while horses that were second won seven and horses third won six.

Posts one and six produced the most winners, with seven each, followed by post five with six.

“It’s a benefit,” Zeron said about the extra experience of racing 1-1/4 miles at Yonkers. “The difference with this race compared to a regular Sunday is having 10 horses that all can win. There are no long shots. These are the best of the best.”

Jason Bartlett, who has won seven driving titles at Yonkers including the past four, is making his first appearance in the International Trot. He will drive France’s Up And Quick, who counts the 2015 Prix d’Amerique among five career Group 1 wins in Europe. Up And Quick will start from post two.

Mike Lizzi photo

Jason Bartlett, who has won seven driving titles at Yonkers including the past four, is making his first appearance in the International Trot.

“I thought the draw was very good,” Bartlett said. “It gives me options. I don’t really know the horse, but I’ll do a little homework on him and go from there. I’ve talked to Bjorn Goop who drove him three starts ago. I’ll watch some replays on him. That’s all I can really do. I’ll get a feel for him going into the turn when I score him down and that’s it.

“I think the biggest part I’ve got to learn is a little bit about the competition, each horse in the race. It’s the best trotters in the world, the best drivers; you can’t really go in with a game plan.

“For me, it’s my first time in this race. Winning it would be very special to me being that it’s my home track. I’m just thankful to have the opportunity. It’s going to be an interesting race.”

Sears will be driving Cruzado Dela Noche for the first time. Cruzado Dela Noche raced in the U.S. at ages 2 and 3, winning a division of the International Stallion Stakes and finishing third in the Peter Haughton Memorial. In Europe, his victories include the Group 1 Copenhagen Cup.

“I just hope that he’s on his toes and puts up a good race,” Sears said. “(To win) would be a feather in your cap. It’s one of the biggest races and it’s very hard to get done. To be able to accomplish that would be quite a victory, no doubt.”

Yannick Gingras, with Ariana G, and Tim Tetrick, with Will Take Charge, are both making their second appearances in the International Trot and enter with horses they drive regularly. It will be the first time on a half-mile track for Ariana G, a two-time Dan Patch Award-winner who is the lone mare in the race.

“She’s very square gaited, she’s two fingers to drive, so I don’t see (the half) being any problem at all,” Gingras said. “I think if anything it will work in her favor. She’s got it all, honestly. She’s got the speed, you can stop-and-go anytime you want, and she’s great gaited. I keep saying about her being great gaited, I hope I don’t jinx her.

“She’s just so smart,” he added. “Maybe that’s her best attribute. I think I’ve got as good a shot as anybody.”

Racing at Yonkers begins at 1 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. The International Trot is race No. 8 on the card and scheduled for 3:40 p.m. The day also includes the $250,000 Harry Harvey Invitational Trot, featuring the fastest trotter in history, Homicide Hunter, plus the $250,000 Dan Rooney Invitational Pace, featuring the continued rivalry between McWicked and New Zealand-bred Lazarus.

Following is the field in post-position order for the $1 million Yonkers International Trot.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line
1-Marion Marauder-Scott Zeron-Paula Wellwood-3/1
2-Up And Quick-Jason Bartlett-Antoine Lherete-10/1
3-Ariana G-Yannick Gingras-Jimmy Takter-5/1
4-Ringostarr Treb-Wim Paal-Jerry Riordan-4/1
5-Pastore Bob-Johan Untersteiner-Johan Untersteiner-8/1
6-Cruzado Dela Noche-Brian Sears-Marcus Melander-12/1
7-Will Take Charge-Tim Tetrick-Jeff Gillis-6/1
8-Arazi Boko-Alessandro Gocciadoro-Alessandro Gocciadoro-15/1
9-Lionel-Goran Antonsen-Daniel Reden-10/1
10-Slide So Easy-Flemming Jensen-Flemming Jensen-15/1
* Lionel and Slide So Easy start from the second tier.

For more information, visit www.internationaltrot.com.