by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — Corleone Kosmos and Equinox Bi, tied in the World Cup Trot standings with 74 points each, will face off in the final leg of the series, the C$750,000 Maple Leaf Trot, to be raced on Saturday, September 15, at Mohawk Racetrack in Campbellville, Ontario.

After the race, the top seven point leaders in North America will be invited to compete in the World Cup Trot final, the 200,000 euros Coupe Du Monde at Vincennes, Paris, France, on September 30, as will the seven highest ranked European leaders.

The series carried a bonus of $1.3 million (1 million euros) to any horse that could win three of the six legs in either Europe or North America and then win the final. There will be no 2007 bonus winner, as Corleone Kosmos and Equinox Bi each had a first and second place in the previous two North American legs, the Nat Ray and the Breeders Crown.

In the European events, three different trotters each won a leg to tie for the lead with 50 points apiece: Meaulnes du Corta won the Grand Prix du Conseil General Alpes in Cagnes-su-Mer in France, El Nino won the Gran Premio di Montecatini in Italy and Oiseau de Feux won the Hugo Abergs Memorial in Sweden.

The Maple Leaf field includes Vivid Photo, third in the standings with 20 points (fourth in the Nat Ray and third in the Breeders Crown) and the Swedish mare Giant Diablo, who has acquired nine points.

The much-heralded Swedish star Going Kronos, who has won $746,922 and half of his 12 starts this year, is the most interesting addition to the Maple Leaf mix. Trained and driven by Lutfi Kolgini, Going Kronos is making his first North American start.

The seven top finishers in North America and Europe will be invited to compete in the final. The World Cup committee reserves the right to invite up to 16 starters for the final.

More information on the events can be found at www.worldcuptrot.com.

Previous World Cup winners include the legendary Varenne, the popular Swedish stallion Zoogin, and Revenue S, who now stands in New Jersey at Perretti Farms.

WORLD CUP TROT EUROPEAN RANKINGS

WORLD CUP TROT NORTH AMERICAN RANKINGS