by Bob Pandolfo

It’s been twenty years since His Majesty, representing Sweden, won thelast International Trot in 1995. But now the big race is back. It won’t befront page news as it was decades ago, but let there be no doubt about it, thisis an outstanding field befitting of such a prestigious race. With a purse of$1 million, the International Trot has attracted some of the best trotters inthe world. Yonkers Raceway should be applauded for bringing back thisillustrious race.

The distance is a mile and a quarter and with 10 horses inthe race, two horses will start from the second tier. When you have horsesstarting in the second tier, this usually results in a more competitive racefrom the outset. This isn’t going to be a single file race with the pacesetter joggingalong on an easy lead.

European trotters usually have more stamina than NorthAmerican horses. They have to, because they race longer distances in Europe, and the fields are bigger. With the bulky fields,a trainer has to have his trotter keenly conditioned so it can race parked-outevery step of the way going a mile and five-sixteenths or a mile and five-eighths.

In this year’s race, there are several horses with good gatespeed, notably, Creatine, BBS Sugarlight, and Mosaique Face. However, BBSSugarlight starts from the second tier, so the 6-year-old gelding will not beable to leave for position. Mosaique Face comes off a big win in the UETMasters Trot and he finished 2nd in the Elitloppet. But Mosaique Face drew posteight, no easy task.

Pandy’s International Trot Picks and Analysis:

9 BBS SUGARLIGHT – This 6-year-old was bred in Norway buthas competed in the major stakes races in Sweden this year. He’s a late bloomerwho came into his own towards the end of last year. He’s had some foot problemsbut he has been racing well against strong fields and he has good speed. Iexpect a fast pace and perhaps this trotter can brush into contention at theright time. My top pick to upset.

1 CREATINE – Creatine raced in the U.S. lastNovember and he turned in two strong efforts in the Breeders Crown and the TVGFinal. This is a fast horse with proven class and he draws the best post. Oneto catch.

3 TIMOKO – This is a tough call. There’s no question thatTimoko is a great trotter. He won the Elitloppet last year. But, the 8-year-oldhas also had some foot problems this year and he hasn’t raced since June. Ofcourse, they wouldn’t send him overseas if they didn’t think they could trainhim into shape and reports are that he has trained well for this. When at hisbest, Timoko is a horse that is capable of world-record speed.

5 BEE A MAGICIAN – The 5 year old Bee A Magician is the onlymare in this race. Historically, mares have done well in the InternationalTrot. The two greatest trotting mares I’ve ever seen, Une de Mai and PeaceCorps, won the International in powerful fashion. That being said, Bee AMagician has been facing Open caliber trotters in North America this year. These World Class trotters are tougher. This isnot only because they’re fast. All of the horses that have raced against thebest in Europe on a regular basis have beenbattle-tested in grueling long-distance races. Bee A Magician is a greattrotting mare, and she has been outstanding this year. If she wins this race,it will be the crowning achievement to her brilliant career.