International Trot

International Trot
LocationYonkers, New York, USA
Race typeHarness race for Standardbred trotters
Race information
Distance1¼ miles
(2011 metres or 10 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt, 1/2 mile oval
TrackYonkers Raceway
Qualification3yo & up
Purse$1,000,000 (2022)

The International Trot is a harness racing event held in the New York City area that aimed to appeal to a mix of United States and international entrants. The inaugural event was held at Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury, New York in 1959, and was held at the track until its closure in 1988. Thereafter, the race moved to Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York. The initial running was held at a distance of 1.5 miles (2.4 km), with subsequent races held at a distance of 1.25 miles (2.01 km).

In advance of its third running in 1961, The New York Times described that "There are many harness racing stakes that are older and quite a few that are richer, but there is none, that for glamour, pageantry, excitement and wild wagering matches the Roosevelt International Trot."[1]

Yonkers Raceway announced in 2014 that they would return the International Trot to the racing schedule after a hiatus of almost 20 years.[2] With a purse of $1 million, the 2015 International Trot was won by Papagayo E,[3] giving Norway their first win in the race.

The International Trot was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to travel restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

  1. ^ Louis Effrat. "The Big Trot: Quality, Not Quantity; Rich International Is Long on Glamour, Prestige, Betting", The New York Times, July 9, 1961. Accessed February 17, 2009.
  2. ^ Bossert, Jerry (2014-09-19). "International Trot returns to Yonkers Raceway" (Press release). Yonkers, NY. United States Trotting Association. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved 2014-09-21.
  3. ^ Bergman, Jay (2015-10-10). "Yonkers: Papagayo E wins $1 Million International Trot". drf.com. Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
  4. ^ "Yonkers moves series to November; International Trot canceled". harnessracing.com. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2021.[permanent dead link]