North American News - The World comes to Yonkers

One of the biggest and most international harness racing cards of the North American season takes centre stage at Yonkers Raceway this Saturday, headed by the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot.

Ten trotters representing racing interests from across North America and Europe will tackle the demanding mile-and-a-quarter feature, while another $500,000 will be on offer across the Aria Invitational Pace and Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot.

And for New Zealand followers, there is a familiar name right in the thick of the action.

Dexter Dunn partners Super Chapter from barrier five in the International Trot for trainer Marcus Melander.

The four-year-old has developed into one of North America’s leading open-class trotters this season, adding victories in the Maple Leaf Trot and John Cashman Memorial to his résumé, and now faces an intriguing collection of international stars.

Champion Gets The Perfect Draw

Last year’s winner Lexus Kody could hardly have asked for a better starting point in his bid to defend the title.

The Ron Burke-trained representative of Canada has drawn barrier one — remarkably, the same position he started from when winning the race 12 months ago.

Jason Bartlett takes the reins.

Several of the horses Lexus Kody defeated last year are back looking for revenge.

Italian mare Diva Ek IT, runner-up in 2025, returns for trainer-driver Alessandro Gocciadoro, while Norwegian representative Powwow NO, third last year, is also back.

Germany’s Gio Cash DE returns after finishing a luckless fourth as favourite in last year’s edition and has landed the potentially valuable barrier two.

There is considerable European firepower elsewhere.

French star Hooker Berry FR starts from three, Sweden is represented by Bourbonista S, Mellby Jinx S, Antognoni S and Betting Pacer S, while some of Europe’s biggest driving names will also be on show.

Melander holds an especially strong hand with Super Chapter and world champion Bourbonista S, who starts immediately inside his stablemate from barrier four.

The International is Race 8 and is scheduled for 3.23pm Eastern time.

Grade 1 $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot – Race 8 

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer

1-Lexus Kody (Archangel)-Jason Bartlett-Ron Burke

2-Gio Cash DE (Victor Gio)-Robin Bakker-Daniel Wäjersten

3-Hooker Berry FR (Booster Winner)-Antoine Lhéreté-Antoine Lhéreté

4-Bourbonista S (Face Time Bourbon)-Scott Zeron-Marcus Melander

5-Super Chapter (Chapter Seven) -Dexter Dunn-Marcus Melander

6-Mellby Jinx S (Ready Cash)-Daniel Wäjersten-Daniel Wäjersten

7-Powwow NO (Papagayo E)-Ake Svanstedt-Jan Waaler

8-Diva Ek IT (Trixton)-Alessandro Gocciadoro-Alessandro Gocciadoro

9-Antognoni S (Father Patrick)-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke

10-Betting Pacer S (Maharajah)-Björn Goop-Björn Goop

 

Best Chip Heads Aria

The action ramps up two races earlier with the $250,000 Grade 2 Aria Invitational Pace, another mile-and-a-quarter contest.

Canadian Pacing Derby winner Best Chip has drawn perfectly in barrier one for trainer-driver Joe Bongiorno.

But one of the most fascinating runners is local star Sweet Beach Life.

The Travis Alexander-trained pacer will be chasing an extraordinary 10th consecutive victory, although barrier seven gives him a significantly tougher assignment.

Dexter Dunn also has a strong Australasian connection in the race, partnering Captinhammerhead A for trainer Scott Blackler from barrier nine.

New Zealand-bred Hemsworth N and Mossdale Ben N add further Down Under interest to a deep field.

Up Your Deo Back To Defend His Crown

 

Grade 2 $250,000 Aria Invitational Pace – Race 6

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer

1-Best Chip (Heston Blue Chip)-Joe Bongiorno-Joe Bongiorno

2-Go Go Grasshopper (Sweet Lou)-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke

3-Howlenthehills (American Ideal)-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander

4-Fifth And Five (Bettor’s Delight)-Scott Zeron-Enrico Robinson

5-Hemsworth N (Sweet Lou)-Scott Zeron-Jared Bako

6-Coaches Corner (Always A Virgin)-Jason Bartlett-Petter Engblom

7-Sweet Beach Life (Sweet Lou)-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander

8-Aye Aye Captain N (Captaintreacherous)-Todd McCarthy-Ricky Bucci

9-Captinhammerhead A (Captaintreacherous)-Dexter Dunn-Scott Blackler

10-Mossdale Ben N-Jim Marohn Jr.-Peter Tritton

Sandwiched between the Aria and International is the $250,000 Grade 2 Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot, where defending champion Up Your Deo returns for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt.

The Walner entire starts from barrier six as he attempts to repeat last year’s victory.

He faces a deep field including Southwind Coors, Sir Pinocchio, Ari Ferrari J and European import Aetos Kronos S.

The latter provides Dunn with another major drive on the card, with the Marcus Melander-trained son of Bold Eagle starting from barrier eight.

A Huge Day At Yonkers

The three invitationals alone offer $1.5 million in stakes, but they form only part of a massive afternoon at the New York half-mile track.

Eight $300,000 New York Sire Stakes finals will also be decided, pushing the stakes on offer across those races and the three invitationals to almost $4 million.

It makes Saturday’s program one of the richest and most intriguing cards of the North American season.

For Kiwi followers, Dunn’s opportunities aboard Super Chapter, Captinhammerhead A and Aetos Kronos S provide plenty of interest.

But the headline act is unquestionably the International.

Ten horses. A mile and a quarter around Yonkers. $1 million on the line.

And some of the best trotters from both sides of the Atlantic chasing one of international harness racing’s most distinctive prizes.

 

Grade 2 $250,000 Bob Miecuna Invitational Trot – Race 7

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer

1-Southwind Coors (Walner)-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke

2-My Degenerate (Muscle Hill)-Andy Miller-Julie Miller

3-Devilish Hill (Muscle Hill)-Jason Bartlett-Petter Engblom

4-Sir Pinocchio (Mets Hall)-Jason Bartlett-Linda Toscano

5-Uncle Rat (Uncle Peter)-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander

6-Up Your Deo (Walner)-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt

7-Asteroid (Creatine)-Colin Kelly-Enrico Robinson

8-Aetos Kronos S (Bold Eagle)-Dexter Dunn-Marcus Melander

9-Benjamin Hanover (Sebastian K S)-Tim Tetrick-Scott Di Domenico

10-Ari Ferrari J (Walner)-Tyler Buter-Peter Alagna

by Bevan Greig for Harnesslink