Hightstown, NJ – Philippe Allaire might have been a bit disappointed when his MGM Yonkers International Trot contender Hohneck drew post 10 for Saturday’s $1 million Grade 1 invitational for older trotters at MGM Yonkers Raceway, but it hasn’t diminished his enthusiasm for participating in the event.
“I am thrilled to race in this famous race, the International Trot,” said Allaire, who bred, owns and trains Hohneck, an 8-year-old French star who counts the 2023 Elitlopp among his 25 lifetime wins. “It is my American dream.”
Hohneck brings a career bankroll in excess of $3 million to the MGM Yonkers International Trot, which will be contested at the distance of 1-1/4 miles around The Hilltop’s half-mile oval. He will line up in the second tier in Saturday’s 10-horse field, with regular driver Gabriele Gelormini in the sulky, and is 6-1 on the morning line.
No horse has won the MGM International Trot from post 10 since the race returned in 2015 following a 20-year absence, but Periculum (this year’s 5-2 morning-line favorite) finished second from that starting spot in 2024.
“I regret a little bit not coming last year; he was a year younger, and the level of the race seemed easier,” Allaire said. “This year, seeing the competitors, and his (post) 10, the race will be tough.”
Nonetheless, Allaire is pleased with the way Hohneck is coming into the race.
“He is a very easygoing horse, nice and calm,” Allaire said. “He has no leg problems and is in good shape. He loves to change racetracks, turns well, and never breaks his gait. He has been jogging every day and worked light Wednesday, no problems.”
A son of Royal Dream out of the Ready Cash mare Caranca, Hohneck has won more than a dozen Group 1 or Group 2 races in his career. His most recent Group 1 victory came in August when he won the one-mile Criterium de Vitesse de Basse-Normandie in 1:51.2 to lower the race record by two-fifths of a second.
Among his other notable finishes this season, Hohneck was third in the Group 1 Elitlopp and second in the Group 2 Prix de Washington, behind Elitlopp winner Go On Boy. Hohneck won the Prix de Washington in 2024, ahead of Go On Boy, as well as in 2022.
Of course, the stallion’s top triumph to date was his 2023 victory in the Elitlopp with a race-record-equaling performance (mile rate 1:50.4).
“That has been the most memorable moment with Hohneck,” Allaire said. “Fantastic!”
Hohneck could add to his memorable moments with a win in the MGM Yonkers International Trot on Saturday. A victory would make him the first French-bred to capture the race since Reve d’Udon in 1990.
Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, Hohneck has been special to Allaire.
“For me, he is such a great horse in all ways,” Allaire said. “A long story of many years of breeding and friendship. And today, he is an accomplished and sought-after stallion in France; his progeny is ready to follow his lead.”
With his career as a sire already started, Hohneck’s future on the racetrack will be determined at a later time.
“He will tell us his future,” Allaire said. “But maybe Holland in autumn and Sweden in spring.”
Racing begins at 12:20 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The MGM Yonkers International Trot is race six on the card, between the $200,000 Grade 2 Aria Invitational Pace (race five) and $200,000 Grade 2 Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot (race seven). Post time for the MGM Yonkers Invitational Trot will be approximately 3 p.m. and the race will be shown on FS2 as part of America’s Day at the Races.
Here is the full MGM Yonkers International Trot field with the country they’re representing, driver and trainer:
PP-Horse-Country-Driver-Trainer
1-Lexus Kody-Canada-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke
2-Gamin Jaba-France-Daniel Reden-Daniel Reden
3-Gio Cash-Germany-Daniel Wajersten-Daniel Wajersten
4-Powwow-Norway-Bjorn Goop-Jan Waaler
5-Aetos Kronos S-Sweden-Dexter Dunn-Marcus Melander
6-Double Deceiver-United States-Orjan Kihlstrom-Daniel Reden
7-Southwind Coors-United States-Jason Bartlett-Ron Burke
8-Diva EK-Italy-Alessandro Gocciadoro-Alessandro Gocciadoro
9-Periculum-United States-Scott Zeron-Marcus Melander
10-Hohneck-France-Gabriele Gelormini-Philippe Allaire
NOTE: Periculum and Hohneck start from the second tier; Southwind Coors joined the field following the scratch of France’s Ideal Ligneries.