By Jerry Bossert

Yonkers, NY — When the International Trot was last run in 1995 at Yonkers Raceway, it was Sweden’s His Majesty who crossed the wire first.

On Saturday night (Oct. 25), when the $250,000 International Trot Preview is contested, Sweden’s colors will once again be well represented with Commander Crowe and Sebastian K, the top two favorites in the field of eight trotters going a mile-and-a-quarter.

Commander Crowe, an 11-year-old gelding, who has raced most of his career in Sweden, has won 60 of 106 career starts with nearly $5 million in earnings, but never started in the United States. He was made the 7-2 second-choice on the morning line leaving from the rail with driver Orjan Kihlstrom in the bike.

“We are really looking forward to race in the International Trot, or as we call it in Sweden: The World Championship,” said Joakim Wihlborg, owner of Commander Crowe. “It is going to be very exciting to meet Sebastian K again. They have had many good duels over the last couple of years in Scandinavia with wins and fantastic performances from both horses including the European record at Jagersro in Sweden that is held by Commander Crowe.”

Sebastian K, a winner of 34 races from 74 career starts, has won eight of 11 starts this year in America, including setting a world record for the fastest mile on June 28. The 8-year-old will leave from post six and was made the 3-1 morning line favorite with Ake Svanstedt driving.

Before coming to America, Sebastian K and Commander Crowe, battled each other in Sweden, trading decisions throughout 2012 before Sebastian K was named Sweden’s Horse of the Year that year.

“Meeting Commander Crowe is great!,” said Tristan Sjoberg, who is part owner of Sebastian K.

“We have had so many great battles over the years, especially in the summer of 2012 when Commander Crowe took all the early season honors (Olympiatravet, Elitloppet & Hugo Åbergs Memorial) and then Sebastian K won most of the late season battles (Åby Stora Pris, Sundsvall Open Trot and UET Masters). It was a great summer of racing. Someone said it is currently 7 – 6 in favor of Sebastian K, but I cannot vouch for that statistic, Either way, it has been a very close fought battle. With Commander Crowe now drawing post one, I think he must be considered the slight favorite. I predict another close battle!”

Both Commander Crowe and Sebastian K enter Saturday’s $250,000 Preview off of losses when each was second best, Commander Crowe in the Grade 1 Gran Premio Turilli from Rome on Oct. 5, while Sebastian K was caught on the wire in the $173,000 Allerage Farm Open Trot at The Red Mile in Lexington also on Oct. 5.

“Sebastian is doing great,” Sjoberg said. “He has shown a bit more alertness in training in the last week or so, which we take as a good sign.”

Natural Herbie appears the best of the American contingent having won his last three starts and was made the 4-1 third-choice in the wagering and will leave from post seven.

Completing the field is the 2013 Horse of the Year, the filly, Bee a Magician (post two, 8-1), Obrigado (post four, 8-1), Arch Madness (post five, 5-1), the 2012 Yonkers Trot winner Archangel (post six, 6-1) and Not Afraid (post eight, 20-1).

“What a race it will be, the fastest horse in Europe, the fastest horse in the world and the best American Trotters,” said Wihlborg.

The International Trot Preview will go off as race nine of a 12-race program, sharing the card along with the finals for the Messenger Stakes and the Yonkers Trot.

The International Trot, with its full pageantry, will return to Yonkers Raceway in 2015, where it will try to attract the top trotters from around the globe.

Yonkers Raceway will keep the international flavor going on Sundays, beginning Nov. 9 through Dec. 14, when it will simulcast its races to Paris and throughout Europe, starting with an 11 a.m. first post. The track will offer fans many promotions to come out early and watch the special Sunday cards. More details about the promotions will be available as the time draws closer.