Seven years ago, Chris Alford had the opportunity to participate in several races during Little Brown Jug Week at the Delaware County Fairgrounds while in the U.S. on holiday. The renowned Australian driver’s return to the States this week is all business. Alford, who is approaching 8,000 lifetime victories and is the winningest driver in Australian history, will get in the sulky behind Aussie-bred Aldebaran Zeus in Saturday’s $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Category: Grand Circuit News
MGM Yonkers International Trot leads Grand Circuit weekend
On Saturday (Sept. 9), MGM Yonkers Raceway will feature the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot for older trotters.
Kildare King looks to reign in Hill
Foot issues hindered Kildare King as a young horse, but since turning age 4 last year, the trotter’s performances have been predominantly majestic. The winner of two of 22 races at ages 2 and 3, Kildare King has hit the board 25 times in his past 31 starts, with 16 victories and seven second-place finishes. He also has been a track-record performer at Eldorado Scioto Downs, where on Saturday he will face nine rivals in the $250,000 Charlie Hill Memorial for older trotters.
Milton Stakes goes straight to final at Woodbine Mohawk Park
The Woodbine Mohawk Park Race Office today announced there will be no eliminations for the Milton Stakes. All nine entrants are set to race in the C$220,000 Milton Stakes on Saturday (Sept. 16).
Draws held for MGM Yonkers International Trot program
France’s Etonnant drew post position two and has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s (Sept. 9) $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Saturday’s card also includes two $250,000 Invitationals for older horses, the Robert Miecuna Trot and the Aria Pace, and eight $225,000 New York Sire Stakes finals for 2- and 3-year-olds of both sexes and gaits.
Little Brown Jug Top 10: Week 5
For the next four weeks, Little Brown Jug Publicity Director Jay Wolf will rank the top 10 horses eligible for the 78th edition of the $1 million (est.) Little Brown Jug to be contested on Thursday (Sept. 21).
Alrajah One IT set to return to races in Maple Leaf
A year after being scratched from the Maple Leaf Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park because of an injury that sidelined him the remainder of the season, Alrajah One IT is ready to return to action Saturday in this year’s edition of Canada’s top event for older trotters. The 7-year-old stallion, unbeaten in three races since arriving in North America from Europe, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite.
It’s Academic, Venerate to represent U.S. in MGM Yonkers International Trot
The $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot is fast approaching and Wednesday (Aug. 30) the field swelled to nine as two United States representatives were added to the mix. It’s Academic and Venerate were invited to the Sept. 9 worldwide event and their connections have accepted the invitations from Racing Secretary Joe Frasure.
Burke paces himself for Saturday night stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park
Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke holds a strong hand in the finals of the C$615,000 Canadian Pacing Derby and C$530,000 Maple Leaf Trot, Saturday night (Sept. 2) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Burke, one of the sport’s highest-profile and most successful conditioners, will have four chances — three in the Canadian Pacing Derby and one in the Maple Leaf Trot — to add more hardware to his ever-expanding trophy case.
Canadian Pacing Derby final and Maple Leaf Trot in Grand Circuit spotlight
Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Sept. 2) will offer the C$615,000 Canadian Pacing Derby final for older pacers, the C$530,000 Maple Leaf Trot for older trotters, the C$177,300 Simcoe for 3-year-old male trotters and the C$157,200 Simcoe for 3-year-old filly trotters.