Worlds collide in $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot

The eyes of the Standardbred world will be firmly entranced on Yonkers Raceway on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 9) when 10 older trotters from all ends of the globe convene for the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot. The invitation-only event is the featured attraction on an 11-race card which offers $3.3 million in purses and also includes the New York Sire Stakes championships for 2- and 3-year-olds.

When the posts were drawn, French superstar Etonnant landed in the two-hole and was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the 1-1/4-mile event. While it is generally a favorable spot at Yonkers, owner-trainer Richard Westerink was somewhat concerned with the early tempo of the race and how it could affect his horse.

“With post two, we must be a little careful,” said Westerink. “[Going into] the first turn, the horse has a lot of energy and that is when he is most likely to make a mistake. After that, I think it will be easier for him.

“On the first turn, he will maybe be in fifth or sixth, but after that he can come out and we’ll see. I think he is the toughest horse but maybe not the fastest at the start.”

Westerink reports that Etonnant has lost a little weight due to the heat in France and here but that the 9-year-old son of Timoko has been training very well. While the 2022 Elitloppe winner has won over $2.3 million in his career, he is not the richest horse in the field. That honor belongs to the one horse Westerink fears most of the European contingent of five who came to play for the massive trophy.

“Vivid Wise As,” said Westerink quickly on the main competition, “but the only horse I’m really scared of is Etonnant and what he will do. My horse is tougher than the others, but this track is 800 meters. When it is 1,600 meters, it is no problem.”

Etonnant raced in the MGM Yonkers International Trot last year and made a break on the fourth turn with regular driver Anthony Barrier, who steers again this year. The goal of course in 2023 is for Etonnant to mind his manners and pick up that elusive trophy for Westerink.

“If the horse trots all the way, I think we can win,” surmised Westerink, who added that Etonnant will race with shoes, just as he did in 2022.

Although the United States hasn’t sent a winner in the MGM Yonkers International Trot since Resolve in 2016, It’s Academic (7-2, post three) presents the home nation with a serious opportunity to get back in the win column this year. The Ron Burke trainee has taken his game to a new level in 2023 with seven wins in 11 starts, and the 6-year-old is a top-three finish away from surpassing $2 million in career earnings.

Most recently, It’s Academic set the pace in the Maple Leaf Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park and was defeated late by the unbeaten-in-the-U.S. Alrajah One in a final time of 1:50.2. The loss broke a five-race winning streak but didn’t dampen driver David Miller’s confidence in his charge.

“Obviously A-One [Alrajah One] was really on his game. My horse fought pretty hard and that horse did just get by us the final 100 yards,” said Miller. “I feel really good about [Saturday]. My horse is in good shape and is sharp.”

As good as the competition is on Saturday, many of the drivers and horses are virtually unknown to U.S. regulars like Miller, but he has an ace in the hole with the extremely easy-to-drive It’s Academic.

“I just kind of react to how the situation unfolds,” said Miller about driving against unknown quantities. “My horse is really versatile; he can leave really fast or come off the pace. He’s just an all-around good horse.”

Vivid Wise As, he of the lofty $3,126,865 bankroll and an impressive 34 wins in 85 career races, drew the coveted pylon starting spot for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro and driver Matthieu Abrivard. The 9-year-old son of Yankee Glide has been razor-sharp in Europe while coming off a fast-closing second in Sweden in his last start (July 25) and winning his previous attempt in Italy a month prior.

As accomplished as some of his European brethren are in terms of their careers, Hierro Boko has been able to make some serious noise on the European scene this year, more than doubling his earnings with $295,320 made at the ripe age of 9. Trainer-driver Hannu Korpi understands where his horse fits on the spectrum but feels he has some intangibles in his favor come Saturday.

“Etonnant and Vivid Wise are better than Hierro Boko, but my horse has better circumstances because he can swim and he isn’t stuck in quarantine. He is on the same daily routine as he would be in Finland. He’s taken the trip very well,” said Korpi, who is at Magical Acres while his aforementioned competition remains stabled at Yonkers Raceway.

Hierro Boko (post five) is actually the fastest trotter in Europe this year by way of his 1:50 (mile rate) victory on July 16 in his homeland of Finland. Times aside, Korpi feels his 9-year-old son of From Above has another distinct advantage in that the smaller track won’t present any problems.

“He’s not a super-fast leaver, but he goes very well in the turns,” said Korpi, who will race Hierro Boko barefoot on Saturday. “It is such an honor to be in this race, and we are here to win. I’m not afraid to try anything and will do everything I can to make it happen.”

The colorful Korpi even promised a special treat should he wind up in the winner’s circle after the MGM Yonkers International Trot: “I will sing the U.S. national anthem,” said Korpi with a big smile.

It’s Academic isn’t the only U.S. representative as Venerate also carries the red, white and blue for Swedish trainer Marcus Melander and Hall of Fame American driver Brian Sears. The 5-year-old with French bloodlines (Love You) made a break in the Maple Leaf Trot and will also have to navigate post 10 this week.

“Everything seems fine. I don’t know what caused the break,” said Melander, who said he would likely add a head pole on the inside for Saturday’s race.

Carrying the Swedish flag for the U.S.-based Åke Svanstedt stable is Jiggy Jog. The 4-year-old is the lone mare in the field and also the youngest combatant. Four-time American driving champion Dexter Dunn will steer the daughter of Walner from post nine.

Other world travelers entered in the race include Get A Wish (Denmark, post six), Aldebaran Zeus (Australia, post seven) and Bengurion Jet (Italy, post eight).

The MGM Yonkers International Trot is race seven with a scheduled post time of 3 p.m. (EDT). The card starts at 12:15 p.m.