by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY —Magic Tonight, whose win in the Elitlopp made him an early invitee/acceptance for Yonkers Raceway’s International Trot, has bowed out.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Magic Tonight (pictured here with caretaker Viktor Flink-Ideborn) will not start in the International Trot.

Since his big win at Solvalla, the 6-year-old son of Andover Hall has been lackluster in three North American stakes appearances, including finishing sixth (and last) in his elimination last weekend for the Maple Leaf Trot.

Magic Tonight’s connections, including trainer Roger Walmann, informed Yonkers’ race secretary Steve Starr of the decision, saying it was based on both the best interests of the horse and the race.

“They were thrilled to be invited, but the horse just isn’t at the top of his game right now, so they respectfully declined,” Starr said.

The defection leaves the current count of confirmed combatants at eight, with a pair of placeholders. The list — alphabetically — includes BBS Sugarlight (Norway), Bee A Magician (Canada), Oasis Bi (Italy), On Track Piraten (Sweden), Papagayo E (Norway), Rod Stewart (Italy), Seabiscuit (Finland) and Timoko (France).

Conspicuously absent from that roster is the good, ol’ U-S of A, with those two selections to made after this weekend’s racing.

Again, please note the International (back after two decades) is part of a scheduled matinee card, with proposed first post (pending approval of the NYS Gaming Commission) at 2 p.m. and the race itself going at approximately 3:20 p.m.