Handicapping the unknown is always difficult, whether it is horses shipping in from other tracks or other countries. The $1,000,0000 MGM Yonkers International Trot provides North American players with the difficult task of evaluating six European shippers and how they will stack up against four currently racing in the United States. With that, we've enlisted some dignitaries with knowledge of the horses across the pond to provide insight into their form and ability. Their thoughts and selections, along with analysis from a couple of our in-house handicappers, appears below (included are their Twitter handles in case you want to follow them Saturday or in the future).
Keep in mind that post time for the Saturday, October 15 card at Yonkers Raceway is 12:30 P.M. and the track has added a $20,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 starting in race seven with the International Trot.
Morten Langli (@skolemorten)
(7) ÉTONNANT - He is the best horse by far, but he is very complicated. He has a big gait and the 800 meters track/turns might be a problem. If he trots, he will attack early and get an offensive drive.
(4) STOLETHESHOW - Has been fantastic all season against top horses in Sweden and Norway. Fast from the start and probably will like the track. Good chance for top three.
(3) COKSTILE - Is very volatile in form - up and down. But on a good day he can be top three. Normally fast behind the gate.
(1) TYCOONCONWAYHALL - He is a good veteran horse but not in the same class as 7-4-3. He can take good money if he goes inside.
(10) ZACON GIO - In good form, but from this post it will be difficult.
(9) KENNEDY - Had a fantastic winter in Paris but in a lower class than this. I think he will have problems with the small track. No chance for me.
Selections: Étonnant - Ecurie D - Stoletheshow
Bernie Norén (@BerniesRacing)
(1) TYCOONCONWAYHALL - Nice horse. I think he will handle the turns well, but of the six European horses he is #6. He does get a nice post to get a check but is a very long shot to win at 15-1 or so.
(3) COKSTILE - Is fast behind the gate and will handle the turns well. Back with the old trainer Mattia Orlando. On September 3 he raced heats, three times in one day. Did a good job in the final heat of going outside Usain Toll all the way and won easy while also beating Zacon Gio. He also won the second heat and was second in the other. His last race on October 2 he was an ok fourth in his elimination to get the eight-hole in final but was scratched. He can win the race but might be better over the mile than 1 1/4. 6-1 shot.
(4) STOLETHESHOW - He is very fast behind the gate and if he gets the lead he will race there. He is much better in the lead and will grow there. He has been beating the best in Sweden from the lead. I think he will handle turns well and likes the distance. Frode Hamre is an ok driver, not more; 5-1 odds.
(7) ÉTONNANT - Elitlopp winner is the best horse in capacity, but he is going to have problems with the turns. A very strong horse that could go three-wide the entire race and from post seven he is out there already. He would be 3-1 for me.
(9) KENNEDY - OK horse has been like a new horse for trainer Erik Bondo, but he is a big longshot here and is not good enough; 30-1.
(10) ZACON GIO - Nice horse that went back to trainer Holger Ehlert after Jean Michel Bazire had him in Paris. He's been racing ok in Italy in his recent races and won this race once before, but he will not go to lead this time; 6-1.
Selections:
(5) ECURIE D - I know trainer Ake Svanstedt has been preparing him for this race, and he is going to put a blind bridle on him.
(6) BACK OF THE NECK - Is in his best form ever. I thought he was done when he had to take outside the leader last time, but it was his best race ever. Tim Tetrick has been doing great work behind him.
(4) STOLETHESHOW - If he can get the lead.
(7) ÉTONNANT
Derick Giwner (@harnesseyeguy)
(5) ECURIE D – He's 100% been aiming for this race all year and perhaps the lack of a recent line - he hasn't raced since the Maple Leaf Trot on September 3 - will improve his price just a bit. The trip concerns me slightly since there is early speed to his inside, but I still think the race goes through him.
(4) STOLETHESHOW – He's been stuck in the second tier way too often lately and that has sapped his best asset - early speed! Watch the replay from June and he practically pushes the gate away on his way to the top. He's going to be in prime position here and will be on all my Pick 4 tickets.
(6) BACK OF THE NECK – Svanstedt's other entrant has truly found himself in recent weeks and didn't seem bothered by taking some air in the Dayton Trotting Derby last time. Having Tim Tetrick in the bike is a big plus and they are a huge threat.
(7) ÉTONNANT - He is arguably the best horse in the race but one that is certainly not suited for a smaller track, especially Yonkers at 1 1/4 miles with the first turn hitting them very fast. If he can stay trotting, perhaps he can survive a very difficult trip to win, but that's a big 'if.'
(3) COKSTILE and (10) ZACON GIO - Both have to be considered in the exotics and seem capable of winning if the top ones have a bad day or they get the right trip.
Jay Bergman (@BergmanJay)
The $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot brings the best from around the world, and the best I've seen all year is (7) ÉTONNANT from France.
This horse has remained sharp and raced at the elite level following an incredible victory in this year's Elitlopp. There may be a concern over the half-mile track, but the feeling is his connections are aware of what they face and don't mind the tough draw.
(5) ECURIE D - He is somewhat of a mystery this year with just four starts and a single victory, but trainer Ake Svanstedt has been on a mission from the start of the season to bring his horse into this race, and we're confident in his ability to have him prepared. That said, it's of some concern not knowing just how fast he can get around the opening turn and thinking he may take plenty of air in this added-distance event.
(4) STOLETHESHOW - Seems to be having a breakout season for his Norwegian connections and draws the best of the serious contenders. That may provide the placement necessary to get a major share.
(10) ZACON GIO - His fortunes do not seem to have improved since his victory in this race back in 2019. Nevertheless, it's hard to forget that blistering turn of speed he showed over the Yonkers surface and most especially navigating the turns. His trip may be compromised by the draw or for that matter enhanced if he can line up behind a quick-footed horse in the first tier.
Tristan Sjoberg (@TristanSjoberg)
(4) STOLETHESHOW - Extremely versatile horse with good gate speed, technique and strength. Should handle the turns effortlessly. He can wire this field.
(5) ECURIE D - In this race, my pick of the Svanstedt double entry. The post inside #6 will help and his natural stamina will come in handy.
(3) COKSTILE - In fine form and from this post expect him to secure the two-hole. With a bit of luck his scintillating closing speed could be a real factor.
(10) ZACON GIO - If Roberto Vecchione can find good cover then this horse has all the attributes to defend his title.
I think Étonnant will break stride. His gait is not great and he almost exclusively races on mile tracks in France. Also, I think Back Of The Neck will struggle with going three-wide in the turns, which he will have to do to win this race.
Thomas Svensen (@Travkonsulenten)
(7) ÉTONNANT - He is a beast. But how will the handle the half-mile track? He struggled on the turns on the five-eighths track in Europe. If he trots he can win this race parked the whole race. Watch the warm-up.
(4) STOLETHESHOW - Has never lost a race on the lead. He has good gate speed and his gait is perfect for Yonkers. He has a better chance than the 8-1 morning line.
(3) COKSTILE - He is very up and down when it comes to his gate speed. He has the class to win this race, but the driver is a big question for me.
(10) ZACON GIO - When on his game he is one of the best horses in the world, but from this post he needs luck.
(5) ECURIE D - This is the big question, because he has not looked like the same horse. He has been too much on the right line and the qualifier said nothing. Yonkers is not perfect for him if he is on the right line.
All Rights Reserved | SOA of NY
site designed by patchwork design