North American-based trio complete International Trot field

Yonkers, NY – Three North American-based trotters from different parts of the globe will complete the field for the Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot. Lexus Kody (Canada), Antognoni S (Sweden) and Super Chapter (U.S.) become the eighth, ninth and 10th horses to join the $1 million race at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Sept. 12.


Defending champion Lexus Kody led at every call in a 2:24.4 victory over a fast-charging Diva Ek last year in the 1-1/4-mile race. The victory contributed to his Dan Patch Trotter of the Year campaign for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phillip Collura.


“It’s a million-dollar race. We tried to win it numerous times and could not get it done. It was very fun,” said Burke on his excitement after the 2025 victory.


This year, Lexus Kody has continued his success, winning three of eight starts, including the Grade 3 JL Cruze and Grade 2 Spirit of Massachusetts Trot. The 8-year-old, who was also second in the G2 Cashman Memorial, was most recently fifth in the Maple Leaf Trot eliminations and will start from post 4 in the C$620,000 final on Saturday (Sept. 5) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.


“He’s been really good until the last couple weeks,” said Burke. “It just seems like the wrong time for him to have his first lull in forever. I think I have a grasp on the situation and hopefully I have him turned around by September 12.”


Burke will also be represented in the MGM Yonkers International Trot by track specialist Antognoni S. The 6-year-old Swedish import has 14 wins in 18 starts over the Yonkers surface, including a couple at the distance of a mile and a quarter of the MGM Yonkers International Trot.


“I’ve never seen a horse that gets around that track better than he does,” said Burke.


Driven by Yannick Gingras, who shares ownership with Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and FAC Racing, Antognoni S has put together a quality year despite a lighter stakes season than some of his counterparts. He won the Grade 3 Maxie Lee in May and was second behind his stablemate Lexus Kody in the Spirit of Massachusetts. He also competed in the Maple Leaf Trot eliminations and advanced to the final with a fifth-place finish. He’ll start from post 10.


“We put him back to the way he was (equipment-wise) when he was in Sweden, when he wasn’t a good horse. It wasn’t one of our brighter moves. We overthought it and tried something,” said Burke on the Maple Leaf Trot performance.


With Gingras part-owner on Antognoni S, he will have to drive that one and Lexus Kody will need a replacement. “I think I’m going to use Jason (Bartlett), but I haven’t committed to that,” said Burke.


Super Chapter also moved on to the Maple Leaf Trot final following an impressive 1:49.4 victory in his elimination for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Marcus Melander. The 4-year-old Dan Patch Award winner from 2025 hasn’t missed a beat this year, with four wins and two seconds from six starts, including a victory against older foes in the Grade 1 Cashman Memorial.


“I was pretty confident in him going into that Cashman race. Obviously he’s been great all season,” said Melander, who was very happy with his Maple Leaf Trot effort. “He raced great in the elimination. Hopefully he’ll race great in the final too. He seems to have come out of it good.”


Owned by Jeffrey Snyder, Arthur Pronti and Hanover Shoe Farms, Super Chapter is no stranger to the half-mile track at Yonkers, having won the MGM Yonkers Trot over the surface in 2025. The son of New York super-sire Chapter Seven has earned over $2.1 million in his career and only been worse than third three times in 31 career starts.


According to Melander, Dunn will drive Super Chapter in the MGM Yonkers International Trot, and Scott Zeron will get the assignment behind Bourbonista S.


“She will qualify on Friday (Sept. 4) at the Meadowlands and Scott will drive her in the qualifier and he’ll pick her up in the International,” said Melander. “They’re both good enough to be able to win that race if we get some luck with the draw.”


A native of Sweden, Melander is familiar with many of the foreign horses and sees it as a competitive group. “I think it’s a pretty even field coming from Europe. They’re all good horses but none of them stand out above the others.”


Below is the complete field in alphabetical order with expected drivers for the MGM Yonkers International Trot. Country of origin is listed in parenthesis.

Antognoni S – Yannick Gingras (Sweden)
Betting Pacer – Björn Goop (Sweden)
Bourbonista S – Scott Zeron (Sweden)
Diva Ek – Alessandro Gocciadoro (Italy)
Gio Cash – TBD (Germany)
Hooker Berry – Antoine Lhéreté (France)
Lexus Kody – TBD (Canada)
Mellby Jinx – Daniel Wäjersten (Sweden)
Powwow – Åke Svanstedt (Norway)
Super Chapter – Dexter Dunn (United States)


The $1 million 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 offering live racing on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) every night except Saturday when post time is 3:30 p.m. There will be no live racing on Friday, Sept. 11.

Betting Pacer accepts invitation to the 2026 MGM Yonkers International Trot

August 30, 2026
Betting Pacer becomes 3rd Swedish and final European representative to accept invitation to 2026 MGM Yonkers International Trot

Hooker Berry carries the French flag into International Trot

August 25, 2026
Yonkers, NY – France will be represented by Hooker Berry in the Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot on September 12. The $1,000,000 event at MGM Yonkers Raceway now has seven confirmed starters representing five different countries. Hooker Berry comes to the U.S. with a high profile as the 2023 winner of the prestigious Prix d’Amerique at Vincennes in Paris. While he has struggled to find the winner’s circle over the last couple of years, he has been competing exclusively in Group I and Group II races against some of the best horses in France. Most recently he was an excellent third after a big first-over charge to the lead in the $165,000 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at Enghien in France, perhaps showing a sign that the 9-year-old has more left in the tank. “Hooker Berry is in great form right now and is rounding into shape after several comeback races, which is why he has been driven conservatively, saving his effort for the home straight,” said Aurélie Lhérété, wife of trainer Antoine Lhéreté, on Hooker Berry’s lack of recent success. “In his last race he was driven more aggressively, and it paid off.” Racing mostly in France on larger racetracks, Hooker Berry will get his first taste of the half-mile oval at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The 9-year-old was noticeably awkward on the turns in his last race, but Aurélie Lhérété said that it wasn’t something to be concerned about. “He always acts that way, but it doesn’t stop him from moving forward,” said Aurélie Lhérété about Hooker Berry cocking his head. Hooker Berry, a winner of approximately $2 million in his career for owner Michel Aladenise, will look to become the first French winner of the MGM Yonkers International Trot since Reve d’Udon in 1990. “We are seizing the chance since the French program isn’t optimal this year,” said Aurélie Lhérété on why Hooker Berry is coming to New York. “It is an incredible opportunity to represent France.” Hooker Berry joins five previously announced European participants – Gio Cash (Germany), Mellby Jinx (Sweden), Diva Ek (Italy), Bourbonista (Sweden) and Powwow (Norway) – in the MGM Yonkers International Trot. The final European shippers will be announced this week and a trio of horses from the U.S. and Canada will be released early next week to create a field of 11 for the first time in recent history. The $1,000,000 race will be the focal point of a stellar card on September 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 offering live racing on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) every night except Saturday when post time is 3:30 p.m. 

Gio Cash seeks clear sailing in 2026 International Trot

August 24, 2026
Yonkers, NY – Trainer Daniel Wäjersten will have strength in numbers in his quest to win the $1,000,000 MGM Yonkers International Trot this year after he accepted an invitation to the Grade 1 event for Gio Cash. The 7-year-old joins his stablemate Mellby Jinx as the latest horse to become part of the Sept. 12 worldwide event at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Gio Cash is no stranger to Yonkers Raceway, having finished fourth while beaten just 1-1/4 lengths by Lexus Kody in the 2025 edition of the MGM Yonkers International Trot. Wäjersten drove on that day and was locked in the pocket behind the winner. “You never know, but we had a lot of power left at that moment and certainly think he would’ve been in the photo,” said Wäjersten on if he would’ve won the 2025 edition with a clear trip. The trainer/driver will not be in the bike this year as he’ll cede the lines to a driver yet to be named from the Netherlands, the home of owner Carpe Diem Stable. A 17-time winner in 37 starts, Gio Cash has been keeping good company in 2026, racing in an elimination of the Elitlopp and winning the Arjängs Stora Sprinter in Sweden during July. It was the second straight year he was successful in the Sprinter race. Most recently, Gio Cash was fifth in the Jämtlands Stora Pris on Aug. 8 from a bad post and Wäjersten was happy with the performance. “He was good and I think he will be in the same shape as last year,” said Wäjersten. “If he performs at his best, he is – in my opinion – one of the best in Europe at short distances. In the Elitlopp he started pacing at the end of the race. It was not a good day for him to have a bad day, but normally he trots easily.” The son of Victor Gio will begin his journey to the United States next week and fly from Frankfurt about a week before the MGM Yonkers International Trot. Wäjersten reports that Gio Cash is a very calm horse and had no trouble with the journey last year. One horse that will not be on the flight is the previously-announced Daim Brodda. The mare did not perform well in her last race and the connections have decided to skip the trip. A replacement horse, as well as the final European starter, will be announced later this week. The current field for the MGM Yonkers International Trot includes Gio Cash, who will represent Germany, his Swedish-represented stablemate Mellby Jinx, as well as Diva Ek (Italy), Bourbonista (Sweden) and Powwow (Norway). The $1,000,000 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 offering live racing on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Saturday, with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) every night except Saturday when post time is 3:30 p.m. 

Mellby Jinx joins MGM Yonkers International Trot lineup

August 7, 2026
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.

Powwow back for more in 2026 MGM Yonkers International Trot

August 6, 2026
Yonkers, NY – The MGM Yonkers International Trot welcomes its third participant as Norway’s Powwow joins the field for the Grade 1 event scheduled for September 12 at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The son of 2015 MGM Yonkers International Trot winner Papagayo E, Powwow is making a second run at the $1million race after finishing third behind Lexus Kody in the 2025. For owner Tom Andersen, losing by less than a length last year, combined with the prestige of the race, sparked his decision to return. “In Europe we call the race Yonkers International Trot the “Word Championship of Trotting” and as such the winner of the race is World Champion,” said Andersen on the race’s importance. “Powwow showed that Yonkers Raceway suits him and of course we love to compete against the best horses in the world.” A 6-year-old trained by Jan Kristian Whaaler, Powwow has a career record of 23-2-6-5. While the win stats don’t jump off the page, the level of the competition he has been facing does. “This year Powwow has started six times at the top international level. His form is very good and we expect to have him in top condition on September 12,” said Andersen, who added that Powwow will compete in the $300,000 Åby Stora Pris on August 15 at 3,140 meters (approx. two miles) before shipping to New York. “Team Powwow’s Norwegian slogan is “Alt Er Mulig” – this means Anything is possible,” said Andersen. “The start in the Yonkers International Trot will be the 25th for Powwow. Can he do as his father Papagayo E did in his 25th start and win the race as well?” Powwow joins Diva Ek and Bourbonista in the lineup for the MGM Yonkers International Trot. More invitations will be extended in the coming days to complete the 10-horse field. The race will be the focal point of a stellar card on September 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 – 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.

Diva Ek returns to MGM Yonkers International Trot in 2026

July 22, 2026
Diva Ek becomes the second to accept invitation to 2026 MGM Yonkers International Trot

Bourbonista S is first to accept invitation to 2026 MGM Yonkers International Trot

July 14, 2026
2026 MGM Yonkers International Trot field will include Bourbonista S

Bourbonista S gets first MGM Yonkers International Trot invite

By Yonkers Raceway Media • July 13, 2026
Yonkers, NY – In just over eight weeks (Sept. 12), some of the best trotters in the world will gather at MGM Yonkers Raceway for the $1 million Grade 1 MGM Yonkers International Trot. While the complete field won’t be known for some time, Bourbonista S will be one of the 10 invitees after her connections accepted an invitation from track management. “We were just happy to get the invitation,” said co-owner Jens Glud Hansen, who races under the banner of Panamera Racing, an homage to the popular Porsche sports car. Hansen is no stranger to racing in the MGM Yonkers International Trot as his Kennedy S finished fifth in the event back in 2022. It will, however, be co-owner Michael Gulotta’s (Deo Volente Farms LLC) first taste of the race. “I feel very blessed to own a horse like her,” said Gulotta. Hansen owns the Selected Sales auction company in Denmark and suggested to Gulotta that Bourbonista S would be a wise purchase. He agreed and the 50/50 partnership was made after purchasing the horse for approximately $200,000 USD. “She was a good horse in Scandinavia and was second and third to Allegiant as a 4-year-old,” said Hansen. “I said to Mike, ‘I think she can go 1:50 or maybe even 1:49 on a good day at the Red Mile.’” As it turns out, Hansen’s prediction fell well short of Bourbonista S’s capability. In the Six Pack on July 4 at The Meadowlands, the 5-year-old daughter of Face Time Bourbon displayed speed at both ends of the mile en route to a 1:48.4 victory with Dexter Dunn in the bike. The final time made her the fastest female trotter in North American history. Trainer Marcus Melander, who got the horse at the start of 2026 after some lackluster results in another U.S. barn, pointed out how he tapped into Bourbonista S’s raw pool of ability. “It took about five or six weeks until she really turned things around and we could start training on the sand track and in the deep sand. When she really turned the corner and started taking to her training well, she got stronger and stronger,” said Melander, who added that the decision to remove her shoes made a huge difference in her performance. Bourbonista S raced without shoes for the first time on May 23 over a sloppy track at the Meadowlands and finished second. Since then, she has won two stakes races ( Six Pack and Armbro Flight), both impressively by more than three lengths. Despite being a big filly according to Melander, Bourbonista S wears very little equipment and he expects her to get around the smaller Yonkers Raceway oval without issue. The trainer also feels that the track surface should be conducive to sticking with the “no shoes” protocol. “I’d say the track’s been good there when I’ve shown up for Sire Stakes and (International Trot) day they usually have the track really good,” said Melander. Bourbonista S, who was bred in Denmark to a Swedish-registered mare, will represent Sweden in the MGM Yonkers International Trot. She owns a 7-3-2-1 record and has earned $158,240 in 2026. Her upcoming schedule includes a leg of the Miss Versatility Series on Aug. 1 and Dr. John R. Steele Memorial on Aug. 8 at the Meadowlands. Invitations are in the works to fill out the 10-horse field for the MGM Yonkers International Trot and more horses will be announced in the coming days and weeks. 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 Friday racing schedule with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT).

Free Programs Are Available For Saturdays International Trot Card

September 11, 2025
Please go to https://www.soaofny.com/yonkers-race-program to pick up yours!

Video of Hohneck

September 11, 2025
Once again, we’d like to extend a big thanks to Kristin Riise Odegard for providing us with this wonderful video of Hohneck (who will be representing France, and starts from Post 10 in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Yonkers International Trot), along with his caretaker for the last 4 years, Remy Menoret. Learn a bit more about the 8 year old stallion who has earned over $3M during his career, and watch him trot around the Hilltop Oval!