from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Your votes are in! JL Cruze was a clear winner, taking more than 39 percent of the fan votes for the U.S. representative in the $1 million International Trot. Unfortunately, his connections do not have confidence that he can trot around the Yonkers Raceway half-mile track.

“The fans have selected JL Cruze to represent the United States in the International Trot and Yonkers Raceway has extended an invitation to JL Cruze’s connections. However, they have declined the invitation and have chosen not to race in the International Trot. Several top American trotters remain in the running for an invite,” said Yonkers Race Secretary Steve Starr.

Following JL Cruze in the voting were Natural Herbie and Obrigado. Both are in the running for an invitation to the International Trot.

After a lackluster start in 2015, Natural Herbie captured his Maple Leaf Trot elimination on Saturday (Sept. 12), defeating Bee A Magician, who has already accepted an International Trot invitation as the Canadian representative.

Obrigado finished third in his Maple Leaf Trot elimination and will join Natural Herbie and Bee A Magician in this week’s final at Mohawk Racetrack.