European contingent invades Yonkers for International Trot
October 7, 2016,by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — They’re here. After soaking up the fun and sun of Newburgh, N.Y., for a couple of days, the half-dozen Europeans chosen to compete in the $1 million Yonkers International Trot found their way ‘home’ Friday afternoon (Oct. 7).
Chris Brokate photo
Explosive de Vie arrives safe and sound on American soil for his engagement in next week’s International Trot at Yonkers Raceway.
The six Euros (alphabetically) – BBS Sugarlight (Norway), Explosive de Vie (Sweden), Jonesy (Finland), Oasis Bi (Italy), On Track Piraten (Sweden), Tano Bork (Denmark) – made the approximately 90-minute trip from their quarantine pit stop to Westchester, getting settled inside Yonkers Raceway’s Old Glory Building in preparation for the Saturday (Oct. 15) world-class event.
None of the two- or four-legged traveling party seemed any worse for wear in a trip that began in Liège Airport (Belgium) in a nearly-nine hour flight of just over 3,700 miles.
The gang is being acclimated to their new digs, with vets and other support staff at the ready. Guests are given a two-hour, 15-minute training window each day with the racing oval all to themselves.
The race, with 10 trotters and the 1-1/4 distance, is to be drawn Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 11) at a midtown press luncheon.
Please note again it’s a rare Saturday afternoon program, with first post at 1:10 p.m. and the 38th edition of the International Trot scheduled for approximately 3:20 p.m.
- Europeans arrive for Yonkers International Trot (Wednesday, October 05, 2016)
Six world-class European trotters touched down Wednesday morning (Oct. 5) at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, ready to compete in Yonkers Raceway’s $1 million Yonkers International Trot.
- Yonkers International Trot security enhanced (Friday, October 07, 2016)
The New York State Gaming Commission announced Friday (Oct. 7) enhanced security protocols for all horses participating in the $1 million International Trot at Yonkers Raceway on Oct. 15.
- On Track Piraten seeks better result in 2016 Yonkers International Trot (Monday, October 10, 2016)
Whether racing, training, or being an ambassador for harness racing, Sweden’s On Track Piraten puts his best foot forward. The popular 8-year-old gelding hopes to win over more fans in the U.S. this weekend when he competes for the second time in the $1 million Yonkers International Trot at Yonkers Raceway.
- Yonkers International Trot: History says beware of the mares (Monday, October 10, 2016)
The ladies have been champions of women’s rights to win in the famed International Trot, indelibly etching their names among the greatest performers in the history of the global classic. So, the stage is certainly set for another trotting tigress, Hannelore Hanover, the millionaire American mare sure to make her presence felt in the $1 million Yonkers International Trot on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 15), to be contested over the historic Yonkers Raceway half-mile oval.
- Resolve is favored in $1 million Yonkers International Trot (Tuesday, October 11, 2016)
Resolve on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 11) drew post No. 2 in a field of 10 for Saturday’s (Oct. 15) $1 million Yonkers International Trot and was made the 3-1 morning line favorite in the 1-1/4 mile invitational event at Yonkers Raceway.