Yonkers, NY – Always a stronghold for top trotting talent, Sweden will have two representatives in the $1 million Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot after trainer Daniel Wäjersten accepted an invitation for Mellby Jinx to participate in the yearly trotting classic. He will join U.S.-based Swedish entrant Bourbonista, as well as Diva Ek (Italy) and Powwow (Norway) in the worldwide event slated for Sept. 12 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Mellby Jinx has compiled 15 wins and over 40 in-the-money finishes in 66 career starts. The 8-year-old was recently third behind the freaky-fast Allegiant in her 1:49.2 track-record victory in the $320,000 Hugo Åbergs Memorial at Jägersro, Sweden on July 28.
“We had to go first on the outside the whole distance, so we were very happy about the performance,” said Wäjersten, who will enter Mellby Jinx in a Swedish overnight-type race before shipping to the United States.
Mellby Jinx raced in the Elitlopp in 2025 and won his elimination before a lackluster performance in the final. This year, Wäjersten declined an invitation to compete in the event.
“He had no power in the final,” said Wäjersten, indicating that his horse didn’t like competing in two heats in the same day.
Wäjersten is no stranger to the MGM Yonkers International Trot, having finished fourth as the trainer/driver behind Gio Cash. He views Mellby Jinx as on par with his stablemate but added that Gio Cash lost his last two head-to-head matchups.
After making his first visit to New York in 2025, Wäjersten is looking forward to getting another chance at racing on the big stage at Yonkers Raceway.
“It is an experience for everyone around the horse and it is also good money if you are in the top five,” said Wäjersten. “When you have good horses you want to be in this race.”
Track management has reached out to the connections of a number of potential International participants and more horses will be announced in the coming days to complete the 10-horse field. The race will be the focal point of a stellar card on Sept. 12 that starts at 11:50 a.m. (EDT) and includes the $2.4 million New York Sire Stakes finals for 2- and 3-year-olds as well as a pair of $200,000 Invitationals – the Bob Miecuna Trot and Aria Pace.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Saturday racing schedule with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) every night except Saturday when post time is 3:30 p.m.